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Notice to Readers: National Latino AIDS Awareness Day --- October
15, 2004
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day is a time to recognize the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) on Hispanics. On October 15, awareness events across the country will present HIV prevention information, encourage HIV testing, and provide opportunities to volunteer with organizations that help prevent HIV among Hispanics. The Latino Commission on AIDS organizes this annual observance, with support from
the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This year's theme, Open Your Eyes: HIV Has No Borders, reflects
the impact of HIV on Hispanics in the United States and throughout the world.
During 1999--2002, new HIV diagnoses increased 26% in 29 U.S. states with long-standing HIV reporting
(1). Hispanic men are more than three times as likely as
non-Hispanic white men and Hispanic women are more than five times as likely
as non-Hispanic white women to receive a diagnosis
of AIDS. During 1981--2002, nearly 164,000 Hispanics received
AIDS diagnoses, and 87,888 died from the disease
(2).
HIV counseling, testing, and prevention efforts are essential to stop the spread of the virus and to help HIV-infected persons access life-prolonging treatments. Nationwide, an estimated 250,000 persons are infected with HIV but are not aware of it. Forty-five percent of Hispanics say they have never been tested for HIV
(3), and only 40% have ever talked to a doctor
about the disease (4). To meet this need, CDC is partnering with community-based organizations and
health-care providers across the United States to ensure that
Hispanics have access to testing and prevention services.
Additional information about HIV and AIDS is available from CDC, telephone 800-342-AIDS (English) or
800-344-SIDA (Español). Information is also available online at
http://www.cdcnpin.org. Additional information about
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day is available at
http://www.omhrc.gov/hivaidsobservances/nlhaad/index.html.
Kaiser Family Foundation. Survey of Americans on HIV/AIDS: part three---experiences and opinions by race/ethnicity and age. Menlo Park, CA: Kaiser Family Foundation; 2004. Publication no. 7141. Available at
http://www.kff.org/hivaids/pomr080404pkg.cfm.
Kaiser Family Foundation. Survey of Americans on HIV/AIDS: part two---HIV testing. Menlo Park, CA: Kaiser Family Foundation;
2004. Publication no. 7095. Available at
http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/pomr061504pkg.cfm.
Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services.References to non-CDC sites on the Internet are
provided as a service to MMWR readers and do not constitute or imply
endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. CDC is not responsible for the content
of pages found at these sites. URL addresses listed in MMWR were current as of
the date of publication.
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