National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day on Oct. 15

National Latinx AIDS Awareness is Designed to to Increase Awareness of the Impact of HIV on the Hispanic/Latino population

Coordinated by the Latino Commission on AIDS, National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) is observed each year on Oct.15 to increase awareness of the impact of HIV on the Hispanic/Latino population in the United States. It is the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month,

The NLAAD campaign promotes HIV testing and prevention, and provides information on access to care for Hispanic/Latino communities across the nation.

The 2020 theme is, “Living with HIV or Not…We’re in This Together.”

National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (or El Dia Nacional de Concientización Latina del SIDA in Spanish) was created by the Latino Commission on AIDS and the Hispanic Federation in 2003. The days main objective is to raise public awareness of the HIV epidemic in the Hispanic/ Latino communities in the USA.

The observance is coordinated by the National Planning Committee that supplies all organizations that organize events with useful kits, materials, and advice. Every local organization is responsible for its own events and activities that are tailored to the particular needs of the community. Local events and activities may vary from celebrations and cultural events to attempts to educate the community leaders and public officials about the importance of preventive activities and testing. The awareness day events are hugely successful and in 2018 the following statistics were recorded:

• 14,333 people attended a NLAAD event.
• 117 events were held across 27 states
• 90% of all events held provided an opportunity to be tested.
• 1,987 tests were carried out at the events
• 48,000 condoms were handed out at the events.

With attendance and engagement growing every year, this campaign is one of the many successes and demonstrates the importance of raising awareness and sharing knowledge.

In 2003, NLAAD was established in response to the impact of HIV and AIDS on Hispanic/Latino communities nationwide, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

NLAAD is a national community mobilization and social marketing campaign that unites the Hispanic/Latino community in efforts to raise HIV awareness, promotion of HIV testing, prevention and education; in addition to other critical health issues such as Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis.

NLAAD is also a capacity building opportunity that aims to improve the ability of community based organizations, faith based congregations, and local health departments to provide HIV testing, prevention and education services through collaboration and partnership opportunities. Since its establishment

in 2003, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day has demonstrated to be a successful AIDS Awareness Day. NLAAD has solidified support from 450 partners who together, organized 350 events in 45 states across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Latino Commission on AIDS and the Hispanic Federation, in conjunction with local, regional and national partners, actively participates in the planning process and will assist you with any request you may have in organizing your local or regional event(s).