On National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, Menendez Highlights Importance of Early Testing, Prevention and Education

Washington - In honor of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, October 15, US Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today underscored the importance of early testing, prevention, and education initiatives to combat the HIV/AIDS crisis that disproportionately affects the Hispanic community and other minority groups.

"We must respond and take action now to put an end to the disproportionate impact that HIV/AIDS in having in our communities," said Senator Menendez. "Every year, thousands of Hispanic men and women are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS at a rate alarmingly higher than that of white non-Hispanics. This is a number that we can and must work together to bring down: by raising public awareness of HIV/AIDS in our communities; encouraging its prevention and early testing; and making accessible the information and health care services needed."

Celebrated on the last day of Hispanic Heritage month, October 15^th, the National Latino AIDS Awareness Day was established in 2003 in response to the disproportionate impact HIV/AIDS was having in Hispanic communities nationwide in an effort to create greater awareness of the disease, promote early HIV testing, and create a network of community based organizations, groups, and services to better serve communities.

Every year, thousands of new HIV cases are diagnosed across the country, with Hispanics accounting for a significant share of these cases. According to recent data, new HIV infections among Latino men is more than three times that of non-Hispanic white men. Among Latinas, the rate is even higher with more than four times than that of white non-Hispanic women. According to CDC data, Hispanics also progress to AIDS faster than any other racial or ethnic group.

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