Latino AIDS immigrants in the Western Gulf states: a different population and the need for innovative prevention strategies.
Immigrant HIV infected Latinos, and those at highest risk for infection, demonstrate strikingly different patterns of risk behaviors and origins. This complicates the already complex acculturation process impacting their lives. By weaving together immigration and AIDS epidemiological patterns, the impact of tightening immigration policy, and masked sexual behaviors, the authors express concern for a lack of communication with, and lack of health care access for, Latinos in the Western Gulf Coast. To combat this deficit, health care and social workers need to be aware of different social, cultural, and behavioral contexts in Latino populations. Policy makers should support efforts to provide health care workers with skills through appropriate language and cultural sensitivity workshops. HIV prevention strategies specific to Latinos are also discussed.
Sorensen
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W
Department of Human Performance and Health Promotion, University of New Orleans, NO/AIDS Task Force, New Orleans, USA. panderson@uno.edu
Lopez
L
L
Anderson
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P
D000069:Acculturation; D002489:Central America / Q000208:ethnology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008145:Louisiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology