In recognition of the serious impact of HIV/AIDS on New York’s Latino communities, New York State observes July as Latino HIV Testing Month.
Latinos represent 16.0 percent of in New York State’s population but account for 30 percent – over 36,000- of people living with HIV/AIDS in the State. Federal data indicates that Latinos diagnosed with HIV may be more likely to be tested late in their illness—that is, diagnosed with AIDS within one year of testing positive and missing critical opportunities to receive early access to health and social support services.
National HIV Testing Day on June 27 is a springboard to encourage agencies that serve Latinos to promote HIV testing and screening for HIV and STD’s throughout July.
Knowing your HIV status helps protect you, your partner and your community. If you are positive, seeking health and social services at an early stage of the disease is vital!
On the National HIV and STD Testing Resource Web site at http://www.hivtest.org, users can enter a zip code and find local testing sites. Mobile phone users can send a text message with their zip code to “KNOWIT” (566948) and, within seconds, receive a text message identifying a HIV testing site near them.
“Latino HIV Testing Month is an important reminder of the role of HIV testing in addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic,” said Humberto Cruz, Director of the AIDS Institute. “By getting tested, you, your loved ones and your community benefit.”
Read more from NYSDOH here or go to http://www.latinohivtesting.org/.
Network members share a laugh at Reunion Latina's March 2010 SABER training in Albany.