Planned Parenthood Los Angeles Offering Free HIV Testing Throughout October in Honor of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day

LOS ANGELES —On October 15, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles 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.

 

Latinos represented almost 48 percent of the Los Angeles County population in 2008 and, according to the Los Angeles AIDS Coordinator’s Office, 51 percent of people diagnosed with AIDS in LA in 2005 were Latino. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that HIV/AIDS is the fourth highest cause of death of Latinos aged 35 to 44 nationwide.

 

“Latinos are the least likely 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 stay healthy,” said Rebecca Isaacs, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles. “Planned Parenthood’s doors are always open. We are here to help with low or no-cost HIV testing, information, and condoms.”

 

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.

 

Organizations participating in NLAAD spotlight the devastating impact HIV/AIDS has had on the Latino community and emphasize the power of prevention by offering free and low-cost testing, condoms, screenings, and information at health fairs; sponsor cultural and community events; and raise awareness through the media and clergy.

 

Annually on this day, Latinos around the country not only recognize the toll HIV has taken on their community, but 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.

 

Planned Parenthood Los Angeles will be providing services and education to the following consulates through the month of October:

 

• Guatemala
• El Salvador
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Mexico

 

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.

 

For more information on where to get tested for HIV or to find out how you can participate in one of our many events, please visit www.nlaad.org or call us at

1-800-576-5544 to participate in an event near you.

Contacts

Communications: 213-284-3287

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Call for Increased Access To

Sexual and Reproductive Health Care for Latinos

Source

Planned Parenthood Los Angeles

Published

October 14, 2009