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The last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, October 15, has been designated National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD). Since 2003, this designation has been to promote the testing and early diagnosis of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in response to the impact of HIV and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) on Hispanic/Latino communities.
By raising awareness, NLAAD encourages Latinx people to:
- Get tested and know their HIV status;
- Use condoms for protection from HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs);
- Know prevention options if HIV-negative, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may help protect you from getting HIV; and
- Learn about new treatment options to get and stay virally suppressed, which means having an undetectable viral load, if HIV-positive.
This year’s campaign theme “You Choose!” highlights new developments in the scientific field of HIV and new HIV treatment and prevention options. These advances include the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved injectable medication administered once a month for HIV treatment or once every two (2) months for HIV prevention.
“HIV disproportionately affects the Latinx community in Orange County,” says April Orozco, OC Health Care Agency (HCA), Deputy Chief of Public Health Services (PHS). “Through the PHS team response and community-based partnerships, we are working collectively on strategies to End the HIV Epidemic by increasing community engagement, promoting HIV testing to help with early diagnosis and rapid treatment as well as implementing preventative measures.”
While the Latinx population represents about 34% of the total population in Orange County, they represented more than half (or 52%) of those diagnosed with HIV in 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that an additional 950 OC residents do not know that they are living with HIV.
“As of December 2021, there were 6,772 persons living with HIV locally,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, HCA Chief Medical Officer and County Health Officer. “Amplifying the NLAAD campaign allows us to emphasize the importance of testing and to draw attention to new options for HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.”
Many of these people had been to an emergency room, a community health center, or their doctor but were not tested for HIV. Therefore, the Latinx community must have routine HIV testing as part of their medical care.
Adolescents and adults should get an HIV test at least once as part of their routine health care, and those at increased risk of HIV should be tested regularly. Knowing your HIV status is vital to help prevent new HIV infections.
Ending the HIV epidemic Initiative requires everyone to do their part. If you have never been tested for HIV, ask your doctor for an HIV test. Free, confidential HIV testing is available at the agencies listed below.
- APAIT Health Center: Call (714) 636-1349 or visit www.apaitonline.org/ for more information.
- Testing is offered Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Extended testing hours on Saturday, October 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- OC Health Care Agency/17th Street Testing, Treatment and Care Clinic: Call (714) 834-8787 to make an appointment or visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/std for more information. Walk-ins are accepted based on availability. Clinic hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Radiant Health Centers: Call (949) 809-8764 or visit www.radianthealthcenters.org/ for more information. Walk-ins are accepted. Hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.,
- Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.,
- Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and
- Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- The LGBT Center Orange County: For more information or an appointment, call (714) 953-5428 or visit www.lgbtcenteroc.org/. Testing is offered:
- Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.,
- Wednesday and Thursday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more testing sites and information about HIV services in OC, please call (714) 834-8335 or visit www.ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/dcepi/hiv/sites. To list or find NLAAD events visit www.nlaad.org.
