Latinos/Hispanics testing late for HIV represents a major challenge

Community based organizations, elected officials, community leaders, health departments, Health and Human Services Regions, health educators, advocates and people living with HIV/AIDS call on the importance of HIV testing and the urgent need to respond to the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic among Hispanic/Latino communities nationwide and in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia.

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), which is held each year in commemoration of the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, represents a call to action for Hispanics/Latinos to protect their lives and the lives of those they love by getting tested and learning about HIV. The theme for this year, “Latinos Unite! Let’s Stay Healthy. Get Tested for HIV”, integrates efforts on raising HIV/AIDS awareness, promotion of HIV testing, prevention and education as well as other critical health issues such as Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis.

NLAAD events are organized annually on October 15th in more than 200 cities and 45 states across the country and US territories. NLAAD was established in 2003 to act as a community mobilization catalyst to prevent the spread of HIV infection in Latino communities, promote HIV testing opportunities, connect people to care and hold activities that raise HIV/AIDS awareness and other health conditions impacting Latinos/Hispanics nationwide.

“HIV/AIDS continues to be alive in the Latino/Hispanic community. It’s important for all of us to get tested and know our status,” said Melissa Faith Ramirez, Director of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day.

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