October 15 is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), a community mobilization that since 2003 has promoted effective ways to prevent, treat, and stop the spread of HIV among Latinos.

This year’s campaign empowers individuals to take charge of their health by getting tested. An estimated 170,000 people in the United States are living with HIV without knowing it. Undiagnosed HIV delays access to life-saving care and increases the risk of transmission. Whether using an at-home kit or visiting a local clinic, testing is a critical first step. Reflecting this message, this year’s NLAAD theme is “Knowing Your HIV Status Is a Good Place to Start.”