Abstract: This chapter applies the lessons of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa to Latin America and the Caribbean. Economic and biological factors are important determinants of HIV transmission. Poverty, malnutrition, and parasites are endemic in much of the region, which also has additional risk factors for HIV transmission, including injecting drug use and millions of street children. Statistical analysis shows high correlation between HIV prevalence and GDP per capita, international migration, urbanization, and calorie supply. The results reflect the dualism of the Latin American and Caribbean economies and their dual HIV epidemics, and suggest the reasons why HIV is spreading fastest in lower-income groups.

Keywords: Latin America, Caribbean, GDP, inequality, dualism, migration, urbanization, calories, street children, drug use,