Statement by Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, on National Latino AIDS Awareness Day
"National Latino AIDS Awareness Day is a reminder of HIV and AIDS' heavy impact on the Latino community. Every nine and a half minutes someone
new is infected with HIV, and almost one-fifth of people who are living with HIV and AIDS are Latino."
"National Latino AIDS Awareness Day serves as another important reminder. HIV and AIDS are preventable. Taking an HIV test gives you
the power to stop HIV transmission. If you know your HIV status, you can take steps to protect your partner. If you find out you are HIV-positive, then you can
get life-extending treatment. CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV."
"We owe our thanks to the Latino Commission on AIDS, the Hispanic Federation, and the many faith and community organizations who
organized National Latino AIDS Awareness Day to fight the stigma of AIDS among Latinos. It also sends an important message to people who are not Latino to
renew our own resolve to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS."
"HIV doesn't have to become part of anyone's life. All of us must be part of the solution. To find HIV and STD testing locations near you
call 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit www.hivtest.org. You can also send a text message with your ZIP code to "KNOWIT" (566948)."
For more information about National Latino AIDS Awareness Day go to www.AIDS.gov.
or www.nlaad.org
###
CONTACT:
HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
Source:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/10/20091015b.html
|
