October 15 Is National Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
October 14, 2010—“Save a life; it may be your own. Get tested for HIV.”
This is the rallying cry for National Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which
October 15 Is National Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
October 14, 2010—“Save a life; it may be your own. Get tested for HIV.”
This is the rallying cry for National Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which communities across the U.S. will mark on Friday, October 15, with events and activities aimed at raising awareness of the epidemic among Latinos.
HIV/AIDS has had a disproportionate impact on Latinos, especially those aged 35 to 44, for whom HIV/AIDS was the fourth leading cause of death in 2006. Latina woman are particularly severely affected, with an AIDS diagnosis rate that is five times higher than the rate of AIDS diagnoses among white women.
Several factors influence the spread of HIV within the Latino population, including male-male sexual contact, high-risk heterosexual contact, injection drug use, poverty, and stigma against homosexuality.
“As we recognize the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on Latinos and especially the women among them, let us rededicate ourselves to bringing our best HIV prevention and treatment resources to this minority population,” said Anthony Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
For event schedules and additional information, visit www.nlaad.org.