« AIDSVote.org Says Cheney Gaffe Highlights Gap In Understanding Of U.S. Epidemic Among Both Republicans And Democrats | Main | Housing Works Moves Headquarters to Brooklyn, Where New York AIDS Epidemic Is Deadliest »
October 12, 2004
Abre Los Ojos: El VIH No Tiene Fronteras; Open Your Eyes: HIV Has No Borders
On October 15, 2004, Latino leadership nationwide will rally together to mobilize Hispanic communities in response to the burgeoning HIV/AIDS epidemic. This year's National Latino AIDS Awareness Day theme, "Abre Los Ojos, El VIH No Tiene Fronteras" (Open Your Eyes: HIV Has No Borders), recognizes surging new infection rates among the Latino population and calls on leadership (e.g. religious leaders, public officials) to promote and sponsor prevention activities and increase efforts to reduce new infections and provide care and treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS.
The HIV epidemic is reaching further into more segments of the Latino community and the overall health of those living with HIV / AIDS is worsening. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Latinos, who represent 14% of the U.S. population, account for 20% of estimated AIDS cases diagnosed in 2002. Due to the rising price of medications and scarcity of medical treatment, the nearly nine year decrease in deaths among Latinos due to HIV / AIDS is reversing its decline and increasing.
We must join together under a united voice to confront the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. The National Organizing Committee for National Latino AIDS Awareness Day 2004 is encouraging non-profit organizations, persons with HIV/AIDS, governmental organizations, media outlets and businesses to join activities planned nationwide. We hope that you will support these efforts and encourage participation within your district. For more information regarding National Latino AIDS Awareness Day activities in your area, please visit the website at http://www.latinoaids.org. For a PDF of the original letter version of this announcement, from Congresspersons Hilda L. Solis and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, click here.