AIDS Crosses All Boundaries

National Latino AIDS Awareness Takes Place in October

The third annual observance of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) took place on Saturday, October 15. Sponsored by the Latino Commission on AIDS, NLAAD is designed to develop awareness, promote prevention and build leadership around HIV/AIDS issues in Latino communities nationwide.

Oscar de la Rosa, founder of the Oscar de la Rosa Foundation and the lead vocalist of the Grammy-winning Latin music group La Mafia, joined the consul generals of Mexico and Colombia in urging Houston-area Hispanics to take the "The Power of Testing" challenge October 14 and 15 for National Latino AIDS Awareness Day.

"HIV/AIDS does not discriminate. The infection rate is increasing dramatically among Hispanics," de la Rosa noted. "Anyone could have it and not realize it. Prevention and early testing are the best ways to fight HIV/AIDS."

In Fort Worth, the Tarrant County Public Health Department - Adult Health Services STD/HIV Division conducted free HIV testing at La Gran Plaza, a mall located in one of Fort Worth's predominantly Hispanic communities. It has proven to be highly successful in the past for enabling education and testing around the Hispanic population.

HIV/AIDS is the third leading cause of death among Latinos aged 35 to 44 and the fourth leading cause of death among Latinas in the same age group(1). Although Latinos only account for 14% of the total US population, more than 20% of new HIV infection occurs among Latinos(2).

For more information about future events, or about HIV risk factors and testing, please contact Brian A. Barron at 817-321-4863 or babarron@tarrantcounty.com. Testing is also available through AIDS Outreach Center in Fort Worth.

(1) Anderson RN, Smith BL. Deaths: leading causes for 2001. National Vital Statistics Report 2003;52(9):51,53.
(2) CDC. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report 2002;14: 1–40.

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