Planned Parenthood Recognizes National Latino AIDS Awareness Day

For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014

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Following is a statement from Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and Vanessa Gonzalez-Plumhoff, PPFA Director of Latino Engagement and Outreach:

“Planned Parenthood recognizes National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), also the final day of Hispanic Heritage Month, in a national call to action for Latinos to protect their health by getting tested and learning about HIV.

“On National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, Planned Parenthood recognizes the great need to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS among the Latino community.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Latinos account for 20 percent of new HIV infections and contract HIV at nearly three times the rate of non-Latino whites, making HIV/AIDS the fourth largest killer of Latinos aged 35 to 44 in the United States. 

“Planned Parenthood health centers are key partners with the Latino community in fighting HIV/AIDS through the year-round provision of HIV screening.  Each year, Planned Parenthood health centers provide over 500,000 HIV tests.  Planned Parenthood affiliates also work with other community-based organizations to ensure women, men, and young people have access to information and education about the prevention of HIV.  It can take up to 10 years for symptoms to show, making easy access to routine HIV screening critical.   

“As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, Planned Parenthood remains committed to working with Latinos and their families every day to combat HIV/AIDS and improve the quality of, and access to, culturally competent health care and education.  Planned Parenthood is proud to be a trusted health care provider to over 630,000 Latinos each year and will continue to serve the community for generations to come.”

For more information on where to get tested for HIV, visit plannedparenthood.org.