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

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Welcome to the 2011 National Latino AIDS Awareness Day!

The last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, October 15th, has been designated as National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD). In 2003, NLAAD was established in response to the impact of HIV and AIDS on Hispanic/Latino communities nationwide, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. NLAAD is a national community mobilization and social marketing campaign that unites the Hispanic/Latino community in efforts to raise HIV awareness, promotion of HIV testing, prevention and education; in addition to other critical health issues such as Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis. NLAAD is also a capacity building opportunity that aims to improve the ability of community based organizations, faith based congregations, and local health departments to provide HIV testing, prevention and education services through collaboration and partnership opportunities.

Since its establishment in 2003, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day has demonstrated to be a successful AIDS Awareness Day. In 2010, NLAAD solidified support from 450 partners who together, organized 350 events in 45 states across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Through a partnership with OraSure Technologies, 7,000 HIV testing kits were donated to HIV certified testing sites throughout the U.S. and NLAAD efforts were covered by more than 4,000 media outlets.

This year’s theme, “Latinos Unite! Let's stay Healthy! Get Tested for HIV!”, speaks to the critical role of our communities engaging in not just HIV alone but also other health issues, such as Tuberculosis, Viral Hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections that impact all of our communities. By facilitating partnerships, hosting community events that encourage people to seek HIV testing, counseling and treatment, and by developing and disseminating prevention strategies, we will be promoting healthy communities. The strength of NLAAD is exemplified by the year-round active network that promotes collaboration, partnerships and commitment to meet the health challenges faced by Hispanic/Latino communities.

The Latino Commission on AIDS and the Hispanic Federation, in conjunction with local, regional and national partners, actively participates in the planning process and will assist you with any request you may have in organizing your local or regional event(s). For more information on NLAAD 2011 or if you have any questions, please contact Melissa Faith Ramírez, NLAAD Director, (212) 584-9315 or mramirez@latinoaids.org

Please visit www.nlaad.org to join the campaign, register your NLAAD event, and to request campaign materials.

Melissa Faith Ramírez NLAAD Director Latino Commission on AIDS

Concept – October 15th was established in 2003 as National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) in response to the devastating impact HIV/AIDS has on Hispanic/Latino communities across the country. It was established to draw attention to the critical role HIV testing and prevention education plays in stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS among Hispanics/Latinos. 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 Hispanics/Latinos in their specific communities.

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. Additionally, advocating for and ensuring proper care for those who are living with HIV/AIDS is also a major component of awareness activities. Each participating locality is responsible for raising funds needed to sponsor their own activity.

The NLAAD Network – 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 Director of NLAAD. The National NLAAD Network develops tools such as campaign kits and posters, and provides technical and capacity building support to assist in creating a well-planned and well-received event.

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) was created in 2003 in response to the devastating impact HIV/AIDS has on Hispanic/Latino communities.

October 15th is the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month where NLAAD members around the country promote and sponsor activities that respond to the state of HIV/AIDS among Hispanics/Latinos in their specific communities.

NLAAD is the only grassroots nationwide social marketing campaign focused on promoting HIV/AIDS as it impacts Hispanic/Latino communities in the U.S.

NLAAD is a community mobilizing campaign which fosters a diverse network, implemented at the local, regional and national level, aimed at educating and mobilizing Latino/Hispanic communities to increase their knowledge on the impact of HIV/AIDS and health related safety practices.

NLAAD aims to improve the ability of community organizations, faith communities, and local governments to work together in the coordination of delivering HIV testing and education to Hispanic/Latino communities.

NLAAD serves as an organizing mechanism for event planners to network; share lessons learned and obtain resources for executing events.

In the United States, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has adversely affected Hispanic/Latino communities.

Cultural and familial norms act as obstacles to prevention efforts, thus contributing to high levels of HIV infection.

Hispanics/Latinos progress to AIDS faster than any other racial or ethnic group with 42% being diagnosed with AIDS within 12 months after learning of their positive HIV status compared to 34% late diagnosis among white non-Hispanic and 35% among blacks

Hispanics/Latinos represent 16% of the population but account for an estimated 18% of people living with HIV and 18% of new infections.

Improvements in health status are attributed to raising awareness, promoting HIV testing, disseminating prevention strategies, and connecting Hispanics/Latinos to health care.

Every participant is given complete ownership in tailoring and implementing NLAAD campaign images and messages. In addition, events are specifically tailored for their own community.

NLAAD provides a campaign toolkit for use in planning and executing local NLAAD activities.

All resources are bilingual (English and Spanish).

NLAAD provides the opportunity for organizations to showcase their services and publicize their NLAAD activities on the official NLAAD website, www.nlaad.org

This year’s theme: “Latinos Unite! Let’s stay Healthy! Get Tested for HIV” “Latinos Unidos y Saludables! Hazte la prueba del VIH”

All partner organizations commit themselves to
a) organizing local groups and leaders
b) be inclusive of all segments of the Hispanic/Latino community
c) raise funds for their organized activity
d) participate in the NLAAD National Network conference calls
e) work with the National NLAAD Director