Today Hispanics account for 20 percent of new HIV infections in the U.S., but only represent 16 percent of the total population. This is more than just a startling statistic; it’s the reality that the National Hispanic Council on Aging  (NHCOA) – the leading national organization working to improve the lives of Hispanic older adults, their families and caregivers – and other organizations and advocates across the country will try to change today – National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD). As a member of the NHCOA Leaders Network, we urge you to use the materials in the NHCOA NLAAD toolkit to engage fellow community members about HIV/AIDS and its disproportionate impact on the Hispanic community on NLAAD.  

“HIV is a major health issue that we, as Latinos, cannot afford to ignore,” said Dr. Yanira Cruz, President and CEO of NHCOA. “HIV is affecting our community at an alarming rate, but it doesn’t have to be this way. By taking simple actions such as committing to speak about HIV/AIDS on National Latino AIDS Awareness Day and throughout the year, we can unite to stop AIDS.”

Studies show that one in 36 Latino men and one in 106 Latina women will be diagnosed with HIV at some point in life. As a result of this disproportionate impact, NLAAD was created in 2003 as a nationally recognized day to promote awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The purpose of NLAAD is to unite the Hispanic community in efforts to raise HIV awareness, promotion of HIV testing, prevention and education.  

While HIV does not infect based on race/ethnicity, diverse communities do have a higher risk of infection based on several factors. Among the complex factors that increase Hispanics’ risk of contracting HIV are poverty, discrimination, lack of health care access, stigma and various cultural factors.  

Upon observing this disparity, NHCOA began to represent the needs of Hispanic older adults, their families and caregivers in the national HIV dialogue by joining the Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative (AAALI). AAALI is a partnership between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and leading national organizations representing the populations hardest hit by HIV. As an AAALI partner, NHCOA promotes intergenerational HIV/AIDS awareness in the Hispanic community, particularly Latino seniors, through three main messages: getting the facts, getting tested, and getting involved. To this end, NHCOA has created Spanish language materials targeted to older adults, their families and caregivers, which are available at www.nhcoa.org/actagainstaids on NLAAD and year-round.