Nearly Half of Newly Diagnosed HIV/AIDS Cases in Los Angeles County Are Amo...( National Latino AIDS Awareness Da...),Health

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day Encourages Latinos to Get Tested

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ --

WHAT

-- Latinos make up almost half of all newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases reported in Los Angeles County compared to 19 percent nationally.

-- A week of activities aimed at raising awareness and encouraging HIV counseling and testing to coincide with National Latino AIDS Awareness Day observed on October 15.

-- October 14, Our Community, Our Responsibility: Latinos in Action -- Latino AIDS activists, public health officials, policy makers and other community leaders will gather to discuss strategies aimed at stemming the growing number of Latinos affected by HIV/AIDS. Discussions will focus on policy, funding and media strategies.

-- October 14-18, Free HIV Counseling and Testing -- Nearly 40 HIV testing and counseling sites throughout L.A. County will step up efforts to encourage Latinos to get tested. Recent studies show that some Latinos are testing way too late and are often infected 8 to 10 years before getting tested for HIV. It is likely many have unknowingly transmitted HIV to others during this time. Early treatment can help prevent an AIDS diagnosis and lead to a good quality of life.

WHEN & WHERE

Oct. 14, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, Our Community, Our Responsibility: Latinos in Action -- media invited at 8:30 am, California Endowment, Redwood Room, 1000 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, 90012

HIV Counseling and Testing sites -- media invited by appointment

-- Oct. 16, 10 am to 4 pm, Homeboy Enterprises, 130 W. Bruno Street, Los Angeles 90012

-- Oct. 15, 10 am to 3 pm, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, MacArthur Park, 1321 E. Anaheim Street, Long Beach 90815

-- Oct. 15, 11 am to 9 pm, Altamed Health Services & Oldtimers Foundation, Shopping Center at Pacific & Florence

-- Oct. 17, 10 am to Noon, Bienestar, Donut Shop at Florence & Pacific Blvd, Huntington Park, 90255 '/>"/>