Top 5 Takeaways

1. Prevalence of Stigma and Discrimination: Hispanic or Latino persons with HIV reported high levels of stigma and health care discrimination, with women and American Indian or Alaska Native persons experiencing the highest stigma.
2. Gender and Racial Disparities: Stigma was more prevalent among Hispanic women, while health care discrimination was more frequent among men, particularly Black or African American Hispanic individuals.
3. Demographic Differences: Stigma and discrimination varied by demographic factors such as race, gender, country of origin, and English proficiency.
4. HIV Care Disparities: The study highlights disparities in HIV health outcomes among Hispanic persons compared to other racial and ethnic groups, linking these to stigma and discrimination.
5. Public Health Implications: The findings emphasize the need for culturally appropriate efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination, particularly tailored to the diverse experiences of Hispanic persons with HIV.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Mabel Padilla, mpadilla@cdc.gov.

Suggested Citation

Padilla M, Patel D, Beer L, et al. HIV Stigma and Health Care Discrimination Experienced by Hispanic or Latino Persons with HIV — United States, 2018–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:1293–1300. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7141a1.

Summary

This MMWR article examines the experiences of stigma and health care discrimination among Hispanic or Latino persons with HIV in the United States from 2018 to 2020. The study, based on data from the Medical Monitoring Project, reveals significant disparities in stigma and discrimination based on gender, race, and other demographic characteristics.

Methods

The study employed a two-stage sampling method, collecting data through telephone or in-person interviews. HIV stigma was measured using an adapted version of a validated 10-item scale, and health care discrimination was assessed using a validated Likert scale.

Discussion

The report discusses the implications of these findings, emphasizing the need for culturally appropriate interventions to address stigma and discrimination. It highlights the diversity within the Hispanic HIV-positive population and the importance of tailored approaches in HIV care.

Conclusion

The study concludes that reducing stigma and discrimination among Hispanic persons with HIV is vital for improving care and treatment outcomes. It underscores the need for multi-level, culturally, and linguistically appropriate interventions targeting both patients and providers, as well as community-level initiatives.

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