Archive Index / National Latino Aids Awareness Day (posted: 10/11/11)

Source: Volusia County Health Department
Contact: Stefany Strong, Public Information Officer
 

(Health Department Offers Free HIV Testing at Deltona Clinic)
 

DAYTONA BEACH - In observance of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, the Volusia County Health Department’s Deltona clinic is offering free HIV rapid testing on Friday, October 14. The free testing will take place between 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the clinic located at 3151 Howland Blvd.

Florida’s Latino community is one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the state making up 21.5% of the state population.
 

Statistics

• In 2009, HIV was the 6th leading cause of death in Florida for Hispanic men ages 25-44, and the 7th leading cause of death for Hispanic women for ages 25-44.
   

• The proportion of newly reported HIV cases among adult Hispanics (age 13+) increased from 16% in 2000 to 21% in 2009.
   

• In Florida, in 2009, the HIV case rate among adult Hispanic men was 2 times higher than that for white men and 2 times higher for adult Hispanic women than that among white women.
   

• Among adults (age 13+) one in 113 Hispanic men and one in 438 Hispanic women were living with HIV/AIDS in 2009, compared to one in 205 white men and one in 1,139 white women.
   

• According to both national and Florida data, the survival time from AIDS diagnosis to death significantly shorter for Hispanics than whites.

The last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, October 15th, has been designated as National Latino AIDS Awareness Day. In 2003, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day 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. National Latino AIDS Awareness Day 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.