National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day

National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) raises awareness of the disproportionate impact of HIV on Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States. The observance was first recognized by the Latino Commission on AIDS (LCOA) and the Hispanic Federation on October 15, 2003. The date was chosen to coincide with the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month. This year’s theme, “Do it your way. Do it right,” emphasizes that people can choose from several effective options to prevent HIV.

Hispanic and Latino communities across the United States are very diverse. Those who have lived in the country for a short time, have completed less formal education, or have limited English proficiency may be at a particular disadvantage when it comes to accessing HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services. As a result, these communities are disproportionately affected by HIV. In 2019, Hispanic and Latino individuals accounted for 29 percent of new HIV diagnoses in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), despite making up 18.5 percent of the total population.

Reducing HIV-related disparities in Hispanic and Latino communities requires improved access to HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services. HIV testing is critical for prevention efforts because when people learn they have HIV, they can take steps to protect their health and prevent further HIV transmission. HIV testing also enables people with HIV to start taking HIV medicines as soon as possible after HIV acquisition.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) HIV research program supports research to better understand and reduce HIV-related health disparities based on race and ethnicity to improve HIV testing and engagement and retention in prevention and care services.

Check out these English- and Spanish-language HIVinfo resources, provided by the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR), to learn more:

• Specific populations: Hispanic/Latinos in English and Spanish (HIV Source)
• The Basics of HIV Prevention in English and Spanish (Fact sheet)
• Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in English and Spanish (Fact sheet)
• PrEP vs. PEP in English and Spanish (Infographic)

Social Media

Use the hashtag #NLAAD2023 to follow the conversation on social media. Download graphics and find sample social media posts in English and Spanish to help promote HIV prevention, testing, and treatment in Hispanic and Latino communities on CDC’s NLAAD webpage. Also, download infographics to help spread awareness on social media from the LCOA NLAAD webpage.