LOS ANGELES (August 14, 2023) – A recent report released in The Lancet by Dr. Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, Dean of the Duke School of Nursing and Director of the Center for Latino Adolescent and Family Health, predicts that the United States is likely to miss its End the HIV Epidemic (EHE) goal of reducing the annual new HIV infections to fewer than 3,000 by 2030 so long as there continues to be a lack of resources and funding for HIV prevention and treatment.

Amongst the most alarming data sets in the published report, is that fact that new HIV infections among key priority populations, primarily Latinos, are continuing at concerning rates. According to the report, “estimated annual new HIV infections for Latinos have changed by 0% between 2010 and 2021—no progress—while decreasing by 19% in the U.S. population overall. Over the same timeframe, the estimated annual new infections increased by 65% and 67% among young Latino and Black men who have sex with men, respectively.” 

Dr. Guilamo-Ramos notes that “while we have made tremendous progress in the last forty years in lowering HIV incidence, CDC surveillance data highlights that certain key populations are persistently left behind in HIV prevention and treatment efforts”.

“While concerning, this data is far from surprising” said Robert Contreras, President & CEO of Bienestar. “The Latinx community has continuously and historically carried the brunt of health crises due to a severe lack of resources, prioritization, and persistent inequities in access to healthcare”.

“For decades, the mission of Bienestar has been to not only reduce stigma but create programs that actually meet our community and provide treatment and prevention services” said Oscar De La O, Bienestar founder and Vice-President.

Bienestar has been a leading organization focused on successfully identifying and addressing emerging health issues faced by Latinx and LGBTQ+ populations. In doing so, Bienestar has used a holistic approach that includes resources available to the community from medical clinics to support groups.

Yet, the severe lack of funding for such programs, and the sustained unwillingness to prioritize the LGBTQ+ community, especially those who are Latinx, has had an undeniable and permanent impact on the community.

The report identifies four key areas that must be addressed in order to course correct which include the reduction of stigma, broadening the HIV workforce, mitigating harmful social determinants of health, and a recommitment to investments in healthcare across the nation.