National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day Aims to Promote Education About HIV Prevention, Access to Care
October 15, 2021 - South Side
Ending HIV stigma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, racism, discrimination, HIV stigma, and homophobia can negatively impact risk-taking behaviors, knowledge of HIV status, HIV care, and other needed services for many Hispanics/Latinos. Photo: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
By Jade Esteban Estrada, Staff Writer | San Antonio Sentinel
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- On Friday, Metro Health and other local agencies will recognize National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in six Latinos living with HIV are unaware they have it
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in six Latinos living with HIV are unaware they have it.
On Friday, Metro Health and other local agencies will recognize National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day by reaching out to the Hispanic/Latino communities to promote education and awareness about HIV testing, HIV prevention, and access to care. The information-driven event will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15 at Mission Marquee Plaza on the city’s South Side.
Linda Ximenes from the American Indians in Texas is scheduled to offer the opening blessing at the Spanish Colonial Missions. Alongside food, drinks, and free sexual health screenings, the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance will provide information on how people with HIV can become donors.
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Agencies that will be on site are Beat AIDS, San Antonio AIDS Foundation, Texas Wears Condoms, Alamo Area Council of Governments, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, COSA, SAWS, CPS Energy and The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“We would like to invite the community to be part of our event as we celebrate Latinx culture while also bring awareness to an ailment that is still affecting the community,” posted a spokesperson on Metro Health’s Facebook page.
To find more information about National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day, visit the CDC website.
Jade Esteban Estrada is a staff writer for the San Antonio Sentinel, where he covers public health and other citywide issues. jade@sasentinel.com | Twitter: @satx_writer