NLAAD THROUGH THE YEARS. With illustrations and pictures, NLAAD has used many powerful images to spread the message of education, prevention, and HIV awareness.

WELCOME - A PERSONAL LETTER

Dear Friend and Colleague,

Welcome to the Sixth Annual National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) 2008!

The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to have a disproportionate and devastating impact on the Latino/Hispanic population residing in the United States and its territories. The persistence and growth of the HIV epidemic among Latinos/Hispanics is nothing short of a public health crisis that demands immediate and ongoing action and mobilization. The numbers from the Centers for Control and Prevention tell part of the story. In 2006, Hispanics represented 15.3% of the U.S. population (U.S. Census Bureau), but accounted for 24.3% of the new HIV infections in the U.S. (Centers for Control and Prevention). But these figures do not reflect the true magnitude of the impact of the Latino/Hispanic HIV/AIDS epidemic, since data from states and territories with large Latino/Hispanic populations, such as California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico are not included. Despite the significant threat posed by HIV/AIDS to the health and well-being of Latino communities across the nation, public and private resources provided for prevention and care have been woefully inadequate.

In response to the high HIV/AIDS infections among Hispanics/Latinos, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) was established to draw attention to the critical role HIV testing and prevention education plays in stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS.
NLAAD was created in 2003, by the Hispanic Federation and Latino Commission on AIDS, as a national organizing vehicle to foster collaboration among organizations to help stem the tide of HIV/AIDS in our Latino communities. Additionally, October 15th was designated as NLAAD, as it culminates the celebration of Hispanic Heritage month and represents a call to action to Latinos/Hispanics across the country to protect the ones you love by getting tested for HIV.

On October 15th, over 300 institutions in 250 cities across the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands will sponsor activities that respond to the state of HIV/AIDS among Latinos in their specific communities, ranging from HIV testing to cultural events, in an effort to reduce new infections and provide care for Hispanics/Latinos living with the virus. NLAAD will galvanize our voices and actions, and through our collaborative efforts – together with our brothers and sisters from the African-American, Pacific Islander, Native American and Anglo communities – we will be better prepared to respond to this crisis. Our hope is that NLAAD will become a year-round active network that promotes collaboration and partnerships.

This year’s theme: Unidos Podemos: HIV/AIDS Stops Here. Prevention Starts With Us – speaks to the importance of working together to educate nuestra gente to prevent the infection from spreading; encourage HIV testing; provide medical treatment and care; and to continue to advocate for those living with HIV/AIDS. Prevention comes in many forms, and through our work as a united community, we will have a stronger and louder voice. Please join us in commemorating National Latino AIDS Awareness Day 2008.

The Latino Commission on AIDS and the Hispanic Federation, in conjunction with local, regional and national partners, are active participants in the planning process and will assist you with any help you may need in organizing your local or regional events. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Liliana Rañón, NLAAD Director, (212) 675-3288 ext. 315 or lranon@latinoaids.org. Please visit www.nlaad.org to join the campaign, register your NLAAD event, and to request additional campaign materials.

Unidos Podemos,

Dennis deLeon President
Latino Commission on AIDS

Lillian Rodríguez López
President
Hispanic Federation

NLAAD DESCRIPTION

In the United States, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has adversely affected Latino/Hispanic communities and its impact on Hispanics/Latinos continues to grow at disproportionate rates. As the youngest and fastest growing minority group in the U.S., the Hispanic/Latino population is witnessing the devastating effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic (U.S. Census Bureau). Several factors, such as cultural norms (discrimination, language barriers, and acculturation) and familiar norms, act as obstacles to prevention efforts and thus contribute to the high level of HIV infection. Currently, Hispanics/Latinos comprise 15.3% of the U.S. population, (U.S. Census Bureau) but account for 24.3% of the new HIV infections in the U.S. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Hispanics are highly vulnerable when it comes to HIV prevention and care. As a response to this state of emergency, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) was created in 2003 as a mobilizing vehicle implemented at the local level to help stem the tide of HIV/AIDS in our Latino communities.

October 15 th culminates the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and marks the first day of what has become an annual observance in our fight against AIDS: National Latino AIDS Awareness Day.

Concept – October 15th was established as National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) in 2003, to draw attention to the critical role HIV testing and prevention education plays in stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS among Latino communities. It is a day during Hispanic heritage month that organizations around the country use to promote and sponsor activities that respond to the state of HIV/AIDS among Latinos in their specific communities. This year’s theme: Unidos Podemos: HIV/AIDS Stops Here. Prevention Starts With Us – speaks to the importance of working together to educate nuestra gente to prevent the infection from spreading; encourage HIV testing; provide medical treatment and care; and to continue to advocate for those living with HIV/AIDS.

Local Ownership – Every locality will organize an activity that will address the epidemic in their communities and make the public aware of what must be done to prevent new infections and advocate for proper care for those who are living with HIV/AIDS. Each participating locality/organization is largely responsible for raising funds needed to sponsor their own activity.

National Planning Committee Participation - The National Planning Committee, comprised of the Latino Commission on AIDS, the Hispanic Federation and Hispanic/Latino organizations throughout the U.S., coordinates National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD). All organizations invested in NLAAD commit themselves to organizing local groups and leaders; to be inclusive of all segments of the Hispanic/Latino community; to raise funds for their organized activity; to participate in the National Planning Committee conference calls; and to work with the National Organizer of NLAAD. The Planning Committee develops tools such as campaign kits and posters and gives advice to the technical support that is needed to assist in creating a well-planned and well-received event.