Statistics on reported cases demonstrate clearly that AIDS is disproportionately prevalent among Latinos in the United States. However, the limited data available on risk behaviors among Hispano Americans hampers the efforts of the Latino community to respond to the AIDS crisis. Other factors include the lack of resources in minority organizations, the dominant public image of AIDS as a disease of white homosexual males, and negative attitudes among minority leaders and populations toward homosexual individuals and intravenous drug users. Many Latino organizations are also stretched to the limit in confronting health, legal, housing, immigration, unemployment, and other social populations. Major cuts in government spending on social programs have intensified the problems. Nevertheless, the Latino community has made a strong effort to respond to the AIDS crisis and to avoid being victimized by either AIDS or hysteria about AIDS. Tables, notes, and 126 references