National Latino AIDS Awareness Day

October 15 is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, a day created to bring attention to the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on the Hispanic population in the US. In 2015, Hispanics accounted for a quarter of all new HIV infections in the US. To raise awareness and encourage prevention, counseling and free testing are held throughout the country on this day.

History

The rate of HIV infection among the Hispanic population of the US is four times higher than among non-Hispanic people. In 2017, nearly 10% of new HIV diagnoses in the US were among Hispanics. However, only 1/6 of all infected individuals are aware of their illness, while the rest remain undiagnosed due to the stigma of having HIV/AIDS, racism, discrimination, and homophobia.

Interesting facts

• July 5, 1981, marks the first warning issued by the CDC of a rare form of pneumonia linked to AIDS, now known as HIV.
• Actor Rock Hudson was one of the first major stars to publicly admit to being HIV positive, and his confession was made shortly before his death in 1985.
• On December 1, 1988, the World Health Organization declared the first World AIDS Day.

How to take part

To help reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS, it is important to be aware of the common ways of infection and how to avoid them. Additionally, it is beneficial to take advantage of free testing to detect the virus. Finally, those who wish to show support can make a donation to organizations dedicated to providing support and care to those living with HIV/AIDS.

When is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day in 2024?

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day is observed on October 15 each year.

Observations