A recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation concluded that the number of Hispanics infected with HIV/AIDS is on the rise, with as many as one in four gay Hispanic men having HIV, almost equaling HIV rates in the sub-Saharan Africa.

Although Hispanics make up about 14 percent of the US population, they represent 22 percent of new HIV and AIDS diagnoses in 2006. Hispanics in Washington DC appear to have the highest rate of new AIDS cases in the country.

The 22 percent was the result of analyzing HIV rates in 33 states and Puerto Rico, but not California, where more than 40 percent of the population is Hispanic.

 What has led to these rates? It appears that language difficulties, cultural barriers and in many cases, issues of legal status make the Hispanic community avoid seeking diagnosis and treatment.

“Migrants tend to be lonely, separated from their family or partners. They do not have health insurance. They may turn to drugs or alcohol. All of these put a migrant at higher risk,” CDC epidemiologist Kenneth Dominguez, said.

The findings should trigger alarm signals among health authorities.

"Hispanics are overrepresented in this epidemic, and we need to target our efforts to them," Dominguez, according to MSNBC.

If US health authorities do nothing to stop the HIV epidemic among Hispanics, Frank Galvan of the Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles warns that the HIV crisis “will continue to spread to other populations.”