Non-Linkage to Care and Non-Viral Suppression among Hispanic/Latino Persons by Birthplace and Social Vulnerability-United States, 2021.

Abstract

Background: Assessing individual- and community-level factors may help to explain differences among Hispanic/Latino adults with diagnosed HIV not linked to care and without viral suppression in the United States.

Methods: We analyzed CDC's National HIV Surveillance System data among Hispanic/Latino persons aged ≥ 18 years with HIV diagnosed during 2021 in 47 states and the District of Columbia and linked cases via census tracts to the CDC/ATSDR's Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). Adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals for non-linkage to care and non-viral suppression were estimated using Poisson regression model.

Results: Among 5,056 Hispanic/Latino adults with HIV diagnosed in 2021, 51.5% were born in the United States, 17.3% in Mexico, 9.2% in Central America, 11.1% in South America, 1.8% in Puerto Rico, 6.8% in Cuba, and 2.4% in the Caribbean. Compared with U.S.-born Hispanic/Latino adults, those born in Mexico and South America had a lower prevalence of non-linkage to care. Hispanic/Latino adults born in Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean (excluding Puerto Rico and Cuba) had a lower prevalence of non-viral suppression, compared with those born in the United States. No significant differences were observed among SVI quartiles for either care outcome.

Conclusion: This study aimed to challenge the narrow perspective on HIV care outcomes by examining the impact of birthplace and social vulnerability among Hispanic/Latino adults. To increase HIV care and prevention among Hispanic/Latino persons, research must evaluate health disparities within the group, and efforts are needed to better understand and tailor interventions within the diverse Hispanic/Latino population.