National Latino AIDS Awareness Day

HIV infection has had a devastating and disproportionate impact on the Latino community. It is estimated that more than 80,000 Latinos are currently living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. Unfortunately, stigma and a general lack of awareness continue to help spread the epidemic in our communities.

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), which is commemorated each year on October 15th, is a movement that unites Latino leaders and community-based organizations across the nation to act and fight against HIV and AIDS. Created by the Hispanic Federation and the Latino Commission on AIDS in 2003, NLAAD promotes and sponsors diverse prevention activities that target Latino families. Last year, more than 300 cities across the nation organized activities to heighten Latino AIDS awareness.

Each year the Hispanic Federation and the Latino Commission on AIDS convene a National Planning Committee to develop materials that tie the event together nationally and generate a discussion of program ideas. In addition, the Federation and the Commission work to ensure national attention through press briefings and conferences in Washington DC and sponsor an HIV prevention multicultural fair with the LUCES (Latinos Unidos Contra El SIDA) coalition in New York City.

If you want to learn how you or your organization can become involved, please contact Samantha Paz.