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National Latino AIDS Awareness Day: October 15, 2008

October 16, 2008

On October 15, 2008, our nation will observe National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD). This observance day provides us with an opportunity to raise awareness of HIV and encourage HIV testing in Latino communities.

CDC is committed to reducing HIV/AIDS disparities in Latino communities. This requires expanding the breadth and reach of comprehensive prevention strategies, which includes increasing HIV testing among Latinos. Increasing the number of previously undiagnosed Latino men and women who know their HIV status is important so they can benefit from life-saving medical and prevention services. The Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention (DHAP) has analyzed the 2005 national HIV counseling and testing data among Hispanics/Latinos attending publicly funded counseling and testing sites. This analysis showed that, in 2005, 20% of HIV tests were among Hispanics/Latinos. HIV testing among Hispanics/Latinos was 1.5 times more likely to identify previously undiagnosed individuals than among non-Hispanic whites. In addition, among Hispanics/Latinos, previously undiagnosed individuals were more likely to be identified among men who have sex with men and injection drug-using clients and where services were provided within non-clinical settings.

For Immediate Release: October 15, 2008
Contact:
NCHHSTP News Media Line
404-639-8895
NATIONAL LATINO AIDS AWARENESS DAY
“United We Can: HIV/AIDS Stops Here”
Statement from the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Statement by Dr. Kevin Fenton, Director, NCHHSTP, CDC:

HIV remains a significant threat to the health of Latino communities in the United States. Latinos are becoming infected with HIV at a rate three times greater than whites; and while Latinos represent just 15 percent of the U.S. population, they make up 18 percent of those living with HIV/AIDS. Among Latinos, men who have sex with men are the most heavily affected by HIV, accounting for more than half of all new HIV infections among this population group in 2006. On this National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, we all must pledge continued commitment to address this threat against Latinos, the largest minority population in the United States.

Our nation’s response to this threat must be as diverse as the Latino HIV/AIDS epidemic itself, confronting the unique cultural and socioeconomic challenges that place Latinos at greater risk. These challenges include limited health care access, language barriers, migration, discrimination, varied socioeconomic status, stigma surrounding homosexuality and HIV, and higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases (which significantly increase HIV risk) compared to whites.

The end of this epidemic can become a reality, if everyone with a stake in this fight – individuals, communities, businesses, and governments – unites to address this devastating disease that exacts a direct toll on the Latino community.

Statement by Maria E. Alvarez, Acting Associate Director, Hispanic/Latino Executive Committee, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, NCHHSTP, CDC:

At CDC, preventing HIV among Latinos is one of our highest priorities for fighting the epidemic. We commit approximately 20 percent of our HIV prevention funding each year to support a broad range of HIV prevention programs for Latinos. We’re working to increase HIV testing rates, ensure that effective HIV prevention programs reach those who need them, and research and develop new programs to meet the specific needs of a multi-ethnic Latino community. We are also working with community leaders to develop a Hispanic/Latino plan of action to accelerate progress and significantly reduce the toll of HIV among Latinos across the country.

Every Latino can help break the cycle of HIV infection by getting tested as a first step toward prevention. CDC recommends that everyone aged 13 to 64 get tested for HIV so they can take steps to protect themselves and their partners. This is especially important for Latinos, who make up the largest share of people diagnosed with HIV late in the course of infection, when treatment is less effective.

Latinos can also help break the stigma that surrounds HIV by speaking openly and often about HIV with family and friends, and by supporting those living with the disease. Today, at events across the continental United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, thousands of people from all walks of life will come together to raise the visibility of the Latino HIV/AIDS epidemic and the urgent need for action. I hope that we will all use this day to make the theme of this year’s National Latino AIDS Awareness Day a reality – “United We Can: HIV/AIDS Stops Here.”

To find out more about HIV/AIDS and where you can receive a confidential HIV test, visit www.hivtest.org, or call 800-CDC-INFO, a 24-hour hotline available in both English and Spanish. For additional information on HIV/AIDS, please visit www.aids.gov.

More information on these data is presented in a special DHAP report, which will be available at http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/hispanics/resources/reports/ct_hisp_pr_usvi/index.htm.

For more information, including a Spanish language version of this email and attached statement, fact sheets, slide sets, and other resources, please visit
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/hispanics.

Source: NPIN-Special-Announcements@cdcnpin.org
CDC Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention
Received by email October 16, 2008

Posted at 04:16 PM by Shantrie in the HIV & AIDS category/ies.

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Comments

I think that NLAAD is a great idea. It comes at a time when we're just finishing celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month...so the timing is perfect. There's such a wealth of information circulating...

The free testing that's offered during this month is amazing. Care and awareness are the key to prevention. By being aware of how an issue like this effects our community is one of the first steps.

Right now, there's one influential Hispanic out there who is also doing her part to spread awareness about an issue that directly effects this community.

Talk show host, Cristina Saralegui has paired up with AARP to to help spread the word about their great benefits!
Check out http://www.upclosewithcristina.com/video to learn more and make a customizable video! You can have fun with your friends and
make them on online TV star with Cristina's video, "Amigos Live!" It's a blast!

Also, you can enter to win an all inclusive trip for 2 to Miami to to see the Cristina Saralegui show!
Definitely check out AARP for yourself or for a relative or client. They've got some great benefits, including (but not limited to): Exclusive travel discounts, prescription discounts, retirement planning and free companion membership!

I hope it's alright that I commented on your blog -- wanted to let them know about the fun video with Cristina and AARP's great benefits. If you have any further questions,
please don't hesitate to email me.

Thanks!
Isabella Coldivar
AARP Ambassador
isabellaAARP@gmail.com

Posted on October 20, 2008 at 01:36 PM by Isabella Coldivar. permalink

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