HIV/AIDS

Objective: To highlight the sociocultural and structural factors that heighten HIV vulnerability among South Asians living in the United States. Key Findings: Data regarding HIV in South Asians residing in the United States, including prevalence of HIV, are limited because this population is typically grouped in the category of “Asian American/Pacific Islander (API).” The limited research that is available suggests there are two South Asian subpopulations in particular with increased HIV vulnerability: men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexual women. South Asian MSM face stigma, racism, and internalized homophobia, which can lead to engaging in high-risk behaviors. Intimate partner violence, lack of HIV knowledge, and HIV stigma are primary risk factors for South Asian heterosexual women in the United States. Recommendations: For all levels of HIV/AIDS data collection and reporting, South Asian Americans need to be identified specifically and accurately. Both descriptive and intervention research are needed to understand and address HIV vulnerabilities of various South Asian subgroups in the United States, including MSM, heterosexual women, adolescents, transgender individuals, and new immigrants.