Planned Parenthood Federation of America Commemorates National Latino AIDS Awareness Day
For Immediate Release: Oct. 15, 2014
New York, NY — In recognition of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, part of Hispanic Heritage Month, Planned Parenthood Federation of America is joining the national call to action for Latinos to protect their health by getting tested and learning about HIV. National Latino AIDS Awareness Day is a nationwide community mobilization campaign seeking to raise the visibility of HIV/AIDS within the Latino community.
“In 2012, Planned Parenthood health centers provided nearly 4.5 million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted infections, including almost 700,000 HIV tests. Now, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, screenings for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, are covered at no cost for sexually active women and for all adults at higher risk. Enrollment in affordable health plans begins again on November 15,” said Vanessa Gonzalez-Plumhoff, Planned Parenthood Federation of America director of Latino leadership and engagement. “Planned Parenthood health centers are proud to partner with the Latino community in fighting HIV/AIDS through the year-round provision of HIV screening.
“Planned Parenthood remains committed to working with Latinos and their families every day to combat HIV/AIDS and improve the quality of, and access to, culturally competent health care and education.”
Latinos are disproportionately affected by HIV. In the U.S., there are more than 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS, including approximately 220,000 Latinos, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new analysis that just over half of Latinos with HIV are getting the care they need. According to the CDC, Latinos account for 21 percent of new HIV infections and contract HIV at more than three times the rate of non-Latino whites, making HIV/AIDS the sixth-largest killer of Latinos aged 25 to 34 in the United States.
HIV is treatable. The sooner you know your status, the sooner you can get treatment, and early treatment can help prevent serious health problems down the line. HIV can be managed and HIV-positive individuals can live full lives if they know their status and take action to stay as healthy as possible.
To prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, it’s vital that people who are sexually active educate themselves about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), practice safer sex by using condoms, and get tested regularly for HIV. Planned Parenthood health centers are among the nation’s leading providers of HIV screening ─ in 2012, Planned Parenthood health centers provided 700,000 HIV tests. Planned Parenthood health centers offer low-cost STI testing throughout the year, and our doors are open to everyone.
For more information on where to get tested for HIV, visit plannedparenthood.org.
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 700 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.
Source
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Contact
Planned Parenthood Federation of America media office: 212-261-4433
Published
October 15, 2014