What the BRIDGE Survey Data Reveal about HIV Prevention, Care, and Treatment in Latine Communities

Produced by the HRC Foundation

October 15th is Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day that focuses on empowering the Latine community to get tested and know their status.

Through the BRIDGE survey, we can share important insights into how HIV prevention, treatment, and care are affecting communities most impacted by the epidemic. At a time of significant HIV funding cuts and new anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, the collective efforts of communities and organizations working to end the HIV epidemic face growing barriers. And while advances in science continue to expand our HIV prevention and treatment options, Latine communities still encounter significant challenges in accessing the services and tools they need.

41%

of Latine respondents living with HIV said they expect it will be harder to access HIV prevention, treatment, and care services in the next 12 months.

These challenges are rooted in deep-seated inequities that continue to shape experiences of HIV stigma and discrimination and create barriers to care. Nearly 6 in 10 (58.9%) Latine people living with HIV reported that changes or limitations in social support systems, which include community-based organizations, peer programs, and public health outreach, had some impact on their access.

Barriers to Access

These findings are particularly concerning because it reflects not only the barriers people are experiencing today but also growing uncertainty about whether they will be able to access the services they need in the future. When people anticipate greater difficulty accessing HIV prevention, treatment, and care, it underscores the need to address the structural barriers that can deepen existing health disparities.

Collectively, these findings reinforce that ending the HIV epidemic requires more than scientific progress alone. We must also address the social and structural conditions that determine whether people can benefit from that progress.

Out-of-pocket costs and fear of provider judgment are major barriers to PrEP and HIV treatment for Latine LGBTQ+ people. These barriers can also shape people’s experiences with HIV treatment and care.

46%

of respondents indicated that out-of-pocket costs made it difficult to start PrEP when they wanted to do so.

22%

reported interruptions in HIV treatment over the past 12 months.

Improving Access

Latine respondents identified clear policy and practice solutions for improving access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment. These were the top policy and system changes noted from the respondents:

44%

Increase funding for HIV clinics and community health centers

40%

Reduce out-of-pocket costs for HIV testing, PrEP, and treatment

30%

Increase access to LGBTQ+-affirming healthcare providers

29%

Remove prior authorization or other insurance barriers

28%

Expand Medicaid or other health insurance coverage

23%

Strengthen anti-discrimination protections in healthcare

National Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day reminds us that knowing your HIV status is a good place to start—but it cannot be the only step. Read the full report to learn more about what this data means for Latine communities.

Read the Full Report

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