National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day: Things You Can Do

HIV continues to be a serious health threat in the Hispanic/Latino community. In 2015, Hispanics/Latinos made up about one quarter of all new HIV diagnoses in the United States, even though they make up only 18% of the total US population.

HIV stigma in our communities leads to feelings of discrimination, fear, and anxiety. It affects the emotional health of people living with HIV and stops some people from getting tested and treated for HIV. You can help by being thoughtful and using supportive language when you talk about HIV. The Let’s Stop HIV Together stigma fact sheet and language guide share information and preferred terms for discussing HIV.

An estimated 235,600 Hispanics/Latinos were living with HIV in the United States in 2014. Of these, an estimated 17% were undiagnosed. CDC recommends that everyone ages 13 through 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care, and that people with certain risk factors get tested more often. HIV testing is a normal part of life—if everyone else is Doing It, you can too!

Find a testing location in your area:

• Use the Doing It testing locator
• Text your ZIP code to “KNOW IT” (566948)
• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO
• Talk to your doctor or health care provider
• Purchase a home HIV test at a pharmacy or drug store

It is important to have conversations about safer sex and healthy relationships. The Start Talking. Stop HIV. campaign video demonstrates how you can start talking in your community.

Making choices that keep you healthy is important. Getting into care and on treatment will help you learn more about HIV and make decisions to take care of your health. HIV care and treatment not only help you live longer, but can help you live well.

• Follow Act Against AIDS on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Help get #NLAAD trending on social media by sharing and retweeting Awareness Day messages or creating your own. Here are a few sample posts you can use leading up to and on #NLAAD:
  • Oct. 15 is Nat’l Latinx AIDS Awareness Day! Use your #superpowers to defeat HIV and #ActAgainstAIDS. cdc.gov/ActAgainstAIDS #NLAAD
  • Today is National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day. Be a #superhero: #ActAgainstAIDS in your community. cdc.gov/ActAgainstAIDS #NLAAD
  • It takes a team of #superheroes to defeat HIV. What is your superpower? #ActAgainstAIDS #NLAAD
  • Hoy es el Día Nacional Latinx de Concientización sobre el Sida. Sé un superhéroe: #ActAgainstAIDS en tu comunidad http://bit.ly/2xRHDnt
  • Se necesita un equipo de superhéroes para detener el VIH. ¿Cuál es tu super poder? #ActAgainstAIDS #NLAAD