HAART, adherence, and cultural issues in the US Latino community

Latinos represent the largest and fastest growing minority group in the United States. They are a culturally diverse population united by a common Spanish language. Although they represent approximately 13% of the US population, Latinos account for 19% of diagnosed HIV cases and 20% of AIDS cases. Latinos typically present late in the course of the disease and face barriers to care, including limited health care access and the withholding of HAART by care providers. Adherence to HAART can be difficult to predict, but adherence can be improved through better patient-centered care and better provider understanding of Latino cultural issues and needs.