En Español

October 15th marks the 5th National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD).

Initiated in 2003 by the Latino Commission on AIDS and the Hispanic Federation in partnership with faith and community organizations, NLAAD raises awareness of issues concerning HIV/AIDS with the Hispanic/Latino population living in the United States and abroad.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a serious threat to the Hispanic/Latino community. Hispanics account for approximately 14% of the US population, but comprised almost 19% of the US AIDS diagnoses in 2005. Further, there are cultural and behavioral differences within the Hispanic population that can affect prevention planning. For example, HIV transmission categories among Hispanics have been shown to vary by place of birth. During 2001-2005, HIV infection through male-to-male sexual contact was more common among Hispanics born in the United States, South America, Cuba, and Mexico than among Hispanics born in Central America and the Dominican Republic, who had a larger proportion of infections attributed to high-risk heterosexual contact.

Because the US Hispanic/Latino population is expected to triple from 2000 to 2050, HIV/AIDS prevention is an issue that needs to be continually addressed in this population. Taking into account the differing risk behaviors of different subgroups of Hispanics is an important consideration in developing prevention programs.

Visit the National Latino AIDS Awareness Day Web site.

Additional Resources from CDC:

MMWR: HIV/AIDS Among Hispanics—United States, 2001–2005 New data shows HIV continues to be a major threat to the health of Latinos in the U.S.

VIH/SIDA en español CDC has translated several HIV/AIDS publications, Web pages, and other resources into the Spanish language.

CDC Fact Sheet: HIV/AIDS among Hispanics/Latinos The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a serious threat to the Hispanic/Latino community.

Webcast: Current Challenges and Successes in HIV Prevention with Hispanics/Latinos This Webcast will raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on Hispanics/Latinos.

National HIV Testing Database Find an HIV test site near you from the National HIV Testing Database, a CDC-sponsored service available 24 hours a day.