National Latino AIDS awareness unveils campaign slogan

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day – Theme for 2011 Latinos stand Together! Let's stay healthy! Get Tested for HIV

NEW YORK, NY - The National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) is a national community mobilization and social marketing campaign focused on HIV awareness, testing, prevention and education. NLAAD takes place annually on October 15th, the last day of Hispanic Heritage month and was initiated as a response to the HIV/AIDS crisis within Hispanic/Latino communities in the U.S. and its territories. In the past eight years, organizations participating in NLAAD have provided HIV testing to over 75,000 individuals nationwide.

“Hispanics/Latinos face so many health challenges including discrimination, language barriers, social stigma, poverty and as of late, tremendous anti-immigrant sentiment. The outcome of CENSUS 2010, reminds us that Hispanic/Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic population and NLAAD’s vision is to reach and strengthen healthy communities”

This year’s theme “Latinos stand together! Let's stay healthy! Get Tested for HIV” speaks to the critical role of our communities engaging in not just HIV alone but also other health issues, such as Tuberculosis, Viral Hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections that impact all of our communities.

The most recent data from the Center’s for Disease Control (CDC) shows that over 200,000 Hispanics/Latinos have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

“Hispanics/Latinos face so many health challenges including discrimination, language barriers, social stigma, poverty and as of late, tremendous anti-immigrant sentiment. The outcome of CENSUS 2010, reminds us that Hispanic/Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic population and NLAAD’s vision is to reach and strengthen healthy communities,” stated Guillermo Chacón, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS.

NLAAD recognizes the Office of Minority Health and Dr. Garth N. Graham, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health in the Office of Minority Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, on their leadership and support for the mission and vision of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD).

About NLAAD: National Latino AIDS Awareness Day was developed by the Latino Commission on AIDS and the Hispanic Federation in partnership with community based organizations, people living with HIV/AIDS, state and regional health departments and others. Partnerships with the media, elected officials, civic and religious leaders, foundations, celebrities and the health care system are forged to raise awareness among Latinos in the United States and territories. To find out more about NLAAD visit www.nlaad.org.