Epidemiology of HIV Infection in Communities of Color in the United States

Abstract

Despite significant advancements in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care and treatment, racial/ethnic disparities in HIV incidence persist with blacks, persons of mixed-race, and Latinos being disproportionately affected. The intersection of social determinants of health and stigma continue to contribute to the marginalization of vulnerable groups particularly in the South, among rural communities, sexual and gender minorities, and people who inject drugs. This chapter provides a broad overview of the of HIV epidemic in the United States and focuses in detail on each step of the HIV care continuum by describing key populations affected, barriers, and facilitators to reaching each step of the continuum of care (i.e., linkage, retention in HIV care and viral suppression) and describes interventions that have been shown to have a positive impact on the continuum of care.