Today is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day

By Daniella Rivera, AIDS.gov Fellow

James Albino, Office of National AIDS Policy

Today is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) . Earlier this week we shared some of the ways that people are using new media to get the word out about NLAAD. Here's an update on just a few of this week's many NLAAD activities.

The Latino Commission on AIDS (the lead organization for the day) and its partners sponsored a Congressional Briefing yesterday on Capitol Hill that brought together the voices of key leaders who are addressing the disproportionate impact of the epidemic in Hispanic/Latino communities nationwide. The Office of National AIDS Policy was invited to be a part of a wide array of speakers at this session on Capitol Hill. Here’s a short audio clip I recorded, (transcript also available - PDF, 21 KB) in which James Albino, Senior Program Manager, recapped the key messages offered during the briefing by Jeffrey Crowley, Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy.

This event also featured the breadth of the partnerships that support NLAAD. Some of those partners have created new media resources to support NLAAD's core messages. Jennifer Kates (PDF) from Kaiser Family Foundation spoke about the Soy (I Am) campaign. She inspired me to watch the 2009 PSAs . NLAAD supporters — any of us — can embed and share these real life stories.

As Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health, mentions today in his NLAAD press statement (also available in Spanish), “This observance gives us an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to addressing HIV within the Latino community. From planning a National AIDS Strategy, to reauthorizing the Ryan White CARE Act, to launching the CDC's Act Against AIDS campaign, we will continue to make HIV prevention a priority in the U.S.” Secretary Sebelius affirmed the importance of NLAAD today, stating in a press statement that “HIV doesn’t have to become part of anyone’s life. All of us must be part of the solution.”

Be a part of the commemoration of NLAAD. As Dr. Koh said in his press statement: “I encourage Americans to take an HIV test. To find your local HIV testing center, send a text message with your ZIP code to “KNOWIT” (566948) or visit www.HIVtest.org .”

Comments

[Californiality]

Here in latino-rich California, I've heard nobody talking about this special day of awareness. Most are concerned with their bills and finding work.

[Milwaukee SEO]

I like the idea of breaking down this information into smaller more niche type groups. Way to often we generalize information for distribution and many don't read it because they feel it is not for them. When we get more specific to gender, race, neighborhoods, and groups we target an audience better and have better results. Having days like this will help spread the word, GOOD JOB!

[Lloyd Braun]

I agree with the previous comment. I think that its important that specific ethnic groups are highlighted in order to focus specific attention on each group. I found another great article on this topic here: http://www.infectiousdiseasenews.com/article/44605.aspx