Latino men in the United States remain disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, with complex social and cultural factors driving higher risk. According to a new clinical trial, Latino men are more than four times as likely to be diagnosed with HIV compared to their White counterparts, and they accounted for nearly one-third of new HIV cases in 2022.
Researchers tested HoMBRES de Familia, a culturally tailored program aimed at reducing the intertwined challenges of substance abuse, intimate partner violence, and HIV/AIDS—known as the SAVA syndemic. Conducted among 122 Latino fathers in Miami-Dade County, the study found the intervention significantly improved HIV knowledge and prevention self-efficacy. Six months after completing video-based sessions, participants in the intervention group answered 81% of HIV knowledge questions correctly, compared with 69% in the control group.
The intervention also lowered risky sexual behaviors. Men in the intervention arm reported fewer instances of unprotected sex and multiple partners than those who only received a diabetes-prevention session. “By increasing self-efficacy and providing culturally sensitive content, these interactive video interventions can significantly reduce health disparities among Latino men,” the researchers reported.
Alcohol use, however, presented a challenge. Both groups showed an increase in drinking quantity over the six-month period, a trend the authors linked to pandemic-related stress and anxiety. While binge drinking did not rise significantly, the overall uptick in consumption underscores the ongoing impact of social stressors on Latino health.
The study concludes that culturally adapted, remote interventions can play a vital role in HIV prevention efforts, especially in minority communities facing barriers to healthcare access.
See: “A randomized clinical trial testing the effectiveness of an adapted online HIV/AIDS prevention intervention among Latino men” (August 7, 2025)
