• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Daily Vitamina

Daily Vitamina

Bilingual Health News

  • Health Conditions
  • Healthy Living
  • Food
  • Weight Loss
  • Fitness
Home / / Latino Commission on AIDS: Going Strong For Over 25 Years

Latino Commission on AIDS: Going Strong For Over 25 Years

When people do something with a lot of passion, only good things happen. This was the case for many Latinos who wanted an organization that could empower their community and at the same time promote advocacy, organization, and innovation for Latinos with HIV. In 1990, the Latino Commission on AIDS was established and since then, they’ve been working to educate and to bring awareness about HIV and AIDS to all of those affected by the disease.

LIKE DailyVitamina.com on Facebook! Get Your Daily Vitamin…FOR LIFE!

For 25 years, they have addressed the urgent need to develop a comprehensive response, not only for Latinos, but all communities affected by HIV and AIDS. They are responsible for the Latino AIDS Awareness Day, which takes place on October 15th, on the last day of Hispanic Heritage month to remind us to promote awareness and access to care to those that need it. They also work diligently to encourage people to get tested on National HIV Testing Day, which is June 27.

badge-national-hiv-testing-day

“The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that there are 220,000 Hispanics that have been diagnosed with HIV and AIDS, and even though we are 17% of the U.S. population, we represent 21% of new HIV infections,” explains Guillermo Chacon, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS. One of the most difficult things with HIV is the stigma associated with the epidemic and the level of homophobia, trans-phobia, and AIDS phobia that they face as a community.

“Hispanics and Latinos are labeled by the CDC as late testers for HIV and that means that they are receiving positive AIDS diagnosis less than 12 months after, which means that they were living with HIV for a long time and didn’t know,” he says.

library_nlaad_infographic_english_1200x630

“Unfortunately its almost impossible to reverse the damage after you’ve received an AIDS diagnosis because your immune system that HIV destroyed is too damaged and almost impossible to rebuild,” explains Chacon. This is why it’s urgent for people to get tested as soon as possible. If you recently contracted HIV, the amount of the virus in your body could be so tiny that you’re going to get the medications you need to live a longer, healthier, and more productive life. Plus you lessen the risk of spreading HIV and developing AIDS quicker.

“One of the biggest challenges that we face as a community is that the Health State Department doesn’t know Hispanics and Latinos very well because Hispanics is one term and behind it hides a whole other constellation of identities and norms,” he explains. There are many of us, but there is a big difference between Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Hondurans, and so on. “If you don’t know whom you’re dealing with in your city, county, and state, then you might be missing the needs that we have and need as a community,” he adds.

Chacon has been with the Latino Commission on AIDS for 21 years and he’s seen the company grow and the success of various campaigns targeting various groups of Hispanics and Latinos. Even though they’re a small organization, they’ve launched huge campaigns in 44 states and territories for Latinos/Hispanics with HIV and hepatitis. They even have a satellite office in North Carolina where they cover all the states between Texas and Florida, promoting a very tailored approach state-by-state to promote unique initiatives.

ThinkstockPhotos-489362743

“This year we’re celebrating 25 years and it’s a very difficult celebration because we need to remember all of those people and all of those Hispanics and Latinos and all of the folks in the U.S. that passed away because of HIV and AIDS,” says Chacon. Just in New York, where their central office is located, they’ve lost 100,000 people. In honor of their 25th anniversary they celebrated with a gala and Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a statewide plan to end AIDS by 2020. “That’s the best tribute and gift to the Commission in recognition of 25 years of very important work, there’s no better way to celebrate than having the tremendous support from so many people,” says Chacon. To learn more about the Latino Commission on AIDS, visit www.LatinoAIDS.org.

NEXT: Aggressive Form of HIV in Cuba Can Lead to AIDS in As Little As 3 Years

June 26, 2015 by Ivette Sandoval

Read Next Article

The Latest In

¿Mitos o realidades? Influencia de la Luna llena en la salud y el comportamiento

Mi amigo Pedro siempre ha sido un poco excéntrico. Está convencido de que la Luna llena tiene poderes curativos, y pasa horas mirándola y disfrutando de su luz blanca y brillante. Sostiene que gracias a la Luna, desaparecen todas sus [Read More...] about ¿Mitos o realidades? Influencia de la Luna llena en la salud y el comportamiento

Take Care of Hygiene! Lowering the Toilet Lid is Also a Health Issue

A study published in the journal 'Nature' warns that flushing with the toilet exposed serves to 'expel' viruses and bacteria up to almost seven feet (two meters) away. In many households, people leave the toilet lid up after using it. [Read More...] about Take Care of Hygiene! Lowering the Toilet Lid is Also a Health Issue

Explorando el poder de la mente. 5 estrategias para programar los sueños

Había una vez un niño llamado Jacobo al que le encantaba soñar. Todas las noches cerraba los ojos y dejaba que su mente vagara hacia lugares lejanos y aventuras imaginarias. Volaba a través de las nubes para explorar ruinas antiguas [Read More...] about Explorando el poder de la mente. 5 estrategias para programar los sueños

What to Do When You Can’t Lose Weight? Rethink Your Diet!

I always hear the same story from my friend Suzanne. "I lost a little weight, and then I stopped. I was exercising and eating healthy… but I got stuck. Ultimately, I got discouraged, gained weight again, and lost all hope in [Read More...] about What to Do When You Can’t Lose Weight? Rethink Your Diet!

¿Por qué desintoxicar el cuerpo? 5 razones para eliminar toxinas

Durante la mayor parte de mi vida, me he considerado sumamente saludable. Hace 30 años o más, no tenía sobrepeso, de hecho, era muy delgado. Comía tres veces al día (desayuno, almuerzo y cena), pero mis hábitos alimenticios no eran [Read More...] about ¿Por qué desintoxicar el cuerpo? 5 razones para eliminar toxinas

10 Benefits of Eating Eggs to Promote Healthy Living

The heavenly aroma that filled the kitchen every time my grandmother Juana prepared eggs for breakfast was simply magical. It was as if the eggs were calling to me, begging me to come and enjoy them. She would fry them [Read More...] about 10 Benefits of Eating Eggs to Promote Healthy Living

Primary Sidebar

Popular Posts

  • 10 Tips to Stay Healthy And in Love10 Tips to Stay Healthy And in Love
  • Why do Men Live Shorter Lives Than Women?Why do Men Live Shorter Lives Than Women?
  • Un mundo sin luz. ¿La ceguera se cura?Un mundo sin luz. ¿La ceguera se cura?
  • How Acupuncture Helps Lose WeightHow Acupuncture Helps Lose Weight
  • 8 consejos para ganar su primera maratón8 consejos para ganar su primera maratón

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.