TWO new communication tools to help you promote HIV testing.

NLAAD Familia,

I am pleased to share with you two wonderful new communication tools that the Latino Commission on AIDS has developed in partnership with the National HIV Testing Mobilization Campaign. You might find them useful in your work to promote HIV testing among the Latino communities with whom you work.


“Why Get Tested?” is a 30-second video public service announcement (PSA) encouraging all Latinos to get tested for HIV. In the PSA, a variety of Latino individuals of different ages and backgrounds give the reasons why they got tested for HIV and encourage viewers to take control of their health and their life by getting tested, too. Their messages help normalize HIV testing and educate our community that everyone should get tested. The PSA provides information on how to find an HIV testing location nearby. Both English and Spanish versions are available. You can preview the English version and the Spanish version of the PSAs below.

“Nine Lives” is a 30-second radio PSA featuring rising music star Kat deLuna who is a national spokesperson for the Latino Commission on AIDS. Her PSA features a clip from her hit single “Whine Up” and Kat makes the case for getting tested. She recorded versions in Spanish and English. You can view or download the English and Spanish versions of this new PSA below.

Radio PSA (English Version)
Kat DeLuna Spot September 2, 2008 Duration: 3:55

Radio PSA (Spanish Version)
Kat DeLuna Spot September 2, 2008 Duration: 3:55

We need your help to get these PSAs in circulation! There are several ways you will be able to make use of these spots:


Post the PSAs on your Web site. Many NLAAD partners have Web sites that are rich with information for your community. Adding an interactive feature such as these PSAs often helps attract more visitors and encourages them to stay longer on your site exploring all it has to offer. In fact, we know that our PSA pages are some of the most visited on our Web site; these PSAs have been viewed more than 553 times since July! Feel free to download the new PSAs and post them on your Web site. Or, post a notice about the new PSA on your Web site and provide a link to the PSA on our site.


Play the PSA at upcoming trainings or events. The brief PSAs can also be integrated into training sessions, played in the lobby or waiting area of your community centers, at information booths or in outreach vans, or previewed during an upcoming special event.


Finally, we have shared the PSA with television and radio stations around the country. But if you know of a local station or cable company that might be interested in running one of the PSAs, please feel free to share this information with them. Often, they will respond more favorably to a PSA if they know a local organization supports them in running it. I have a sample letter you can send them, if that would be helpful to you.


Thank you for your consideration. We hope that you find the new PSAs helpful in your work. If you have any questions about the PSA or other ideas about how and where it can be distributed, please do not hesitate to contact me. Your feedback on the PSAs is also always welcomed!


All the best wishes for continued success with your important work fighting HIV/AIDS in the Latino community.


Sincerely,

Liliana Rañón
Director, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day
Latino Commission on AIDS

REMINDER: World AIDS Day—December 1—is quickly approaching. If you haven’t already started planning activities to commemorate the day, please consider making use of one or more of these PSAs as part of your observance.