In Recognition of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, Planned Parenthood Calls for Increased Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Care for Latinos

Minneapolis— On October 15, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (PPMNS) will join hundreds of organizations across the nation to promote and provide HIV testing and information in recognition of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD). NLAAD is a nationwide community mobilization campaign seeking to raise the visibility of HIV/AIDS within the Latino community.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV/AIDS is the number-four killer of Latinos aged 35 to 44 in the United States.  While Latinos represent 15 percent of the U.S. population, they account for 19 percent of all AIDS cases since the beginning of the epidemic and 19 percent of all people in the United States living with AIDS.

“Clearly, more needs to be done,” said Centro de Salud Clinic Manager Lisa Orozco. “What’s most troubling is that, in contrast to other racial and ethnic groups and despite advances in treatment, Latinos are not experiencing the same declines in HIV infection.  NLAAD is a good time to refocus our efforts and remind the Latino community that Planned Parenthood health centers are available to help,” Orozco said.

Orozco added:  “Latinos are the least likely population group in the United States to have health insurance, and the least likely to have a usual source of care, which would allow them to get the testing and services they need to keep them healthy. But Planned Parenthood is here to help with or low-cost HIV testing, information and prevention methods.”

Centro de Salud is happy to accommodate anyone that would like to come in for testing. We offer the HIV test on a sliding fee scale. Walk-ins for the HIV test are always welcome.

“We provide comprehensive, affordable health care services and a variety of medically accurate, age-appropriate, and culturally responsive sex education programs for women, men, and teens,” said Orozco.  

Centro de Salud staff are bilingual and bicultural, and services at this clinic are designed to respond to the cultural needs and preferences of Latino men, women, and families. Centro, Inc., a diverse nonprofit organization serving the Latino community, is a key partner in Planned Parenthood’s efforts to provide basic health care to Latino families.

Centro de Salud Clinic is located at 1921 Chicago Avenue, South Minneapolis, MN.  612.874.1420

Hours:
Monday & Wednesday 10:30-5:30
Tuesday & Friday 8:30-1:30
Thursday 8:30-3:30

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day was initiated in 2003 by the Latino Commission on AIDS and the Hispanic Federation.  NLAAD is a day to celebrate Latinos’ rich collective heritage during Hispanic Heritage month, as well as an opportunity to remind Latino communities across the country that the epidemic continues to threaten Latino health and lives.

On this day, Latinos around the country not only recognize the toll HIV has taken on their community, they also raise awareness of the importance of prevention and care through HIV testing activities, press conferences, health fairs, cultural events, candlelight vigils, religious services, health screenings, and many other activities.

NLAAD is supported by Planned Parenthood, NBC, Telemundo, the Kaiser Family Foundation, Univisión, MTV Trés, OraSure Technologies, the Office of Minority Health, and Boehringer-Ingelheim.