Communities Across Country Commemorate National Latino AIDS Awareness Day 2017

National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), is held each year on the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, on October 15.

"It's time to end the AIDS epidemic once and for all," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "As we mark National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day, the City is proud to work with organizations like the Latino Commission on AIDS to ensure that all New Yorkers living with HIV or AIDS have access to the health services and support they need."

This year NLAAD had a gigantic success mobilizing communities and engaging both social and mainstream media outlets to highlight the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among Hispanic/Latino communities. NLAAD promotes a local, regional and national collaborative effort in promoting HIV awareness, HIV testing, and sharing strategies to reduce the stigma associated with HIV.

"On National Latino AIDS Day, we applaud our accomplishments so far and recommit to our historic goal of zero AIDS mortality by 2020," said New York State Governor, Andrew Cuomo. "The Ending the Epidemic Initiative has achieved momentous gains in reducing HIV transmission and increasing access to services, and we will continue to do everything in our power to end the AIDS epidemic in New York and forge a path for the rest of the world to follow."

The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control shows that at the end of 2014,�215,721 Hispanics/Latinos�were living with HIV in the US and dependent areas, including Puerto Rico.�In NYC, as of June 30, 2016, 36% of the new diagnoses were among Latinos/Hispanics, while Latinos make up 29% of the population in NYC.

This year's NLAAD theme, "Be a Superhero. Defeat HIV.", highlights the important role of both individuals and communities -- a team of superheroes -- in defeating HIV.

"Our theme, 'Be a Super Hero, Defeat HIV' reminds all of us, that we have the power to defeat HIV/AIDS," said Luis Mares, National Community Mobilization Director at the Latino Commission on AIDS. "In its 15th year, since its inception in 2003, NLAAD continues to evolve in addressing the varying intersections of HIV/AIDS and social/structural conditions that incite the disproportionate impact of the epidemic on Hispanic/Latinx communities."

"My commitment to promote NLAAD comes at a time when our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico are affected by natural disasters and the consequences of the lack of action from federal officials," said Melissa Mark Viverito, Speaker of the NYC Council. "We will see a large number of Puerto Ricans fleeing Puerto Rico and need to be prepared to be able to quickly respond and connect people living with HIV to services, housing, treatment, and care -- as well as connecting many others to services who are living with other chronic conditions."

"Every new HIV diagnosis is a tragedy, but when a community faces far higher rates than others, it also becomes an issue of social justice," added Council Member Corey Johnson. "I'd like to thank the Latino Commission on AIDS, the Hispanic Federation, and others for raising awareness around this important topic and fighting to end the epidemic of HIV/AIDS."

"The health of Latinx New Yorkers is a central focus of the Health Department," said Dr. Demetre C. Daskalakis, Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Disease Control at the NYC Health Department. "Working with organizations like the Latino Commission on AIDS, the Hispanic Federation, and other partners is key to ending the HIV epidemic in a way that is respectful of and responsive to the needs of the community. We need to maintain the energy of National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day throughout the year and remind New Yorkers of Latinx heritage and their providers that their health matters. In New York City, we offer the tools and other support necessary to maintain their health and the health of their communities, regardless of their HIV status."

"We recognize the amazing leadership and contributions from so many partners throughout the nation and the territories to address the impact of HIV and AIDS in our communities" stated Guillermo Chac�n, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS and founder of the Hispanic Health Network. "The Latino Commission will intensify our efforts to address the new increases of HIV cases among young Gay men of color, Latinas, and Persons of Transgender Experience. Stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, and health disparities in accessing health care and prevention services are still major challenges that we must address."