AIDS awareness day promotes HIV prevention among Latino, Hispanic Americans

Latino and Hispanic Americans across the country recently joined efforts in recognizing National Latino AIDS Awareness Day. Established in 2003, the initiative has raised awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic affecting this population, according to Time magazine's website.

During the annual event, volunteers travel to Hispanic and Latino communities throughout the U.S., and lead programs that educate residents about ways to protect themselves against this virus. Those who take advantage of these opportunities will also learn about the importance of family, and keeping safe sex conversations open in the home.

Several national organizations, including the Latino Commission on AIDS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have worked to help educate people about the importance of slowing the spread of this sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Guillermo Chacon, director of the commission, told the news source that "I believe one of the crucial things to do is it put attention with our parents, create training opportunities to educate them to educate their kids so that it comes from [the] home."

In 2008, health officials reported that there were an estimated 180,061 cases of AIDS diagnosed among Latino and Hispanic Americans, according to the CDC.