Hispanics team up to fight HIV/AIDS infection in their communities

October 15 is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), which is meant to increase awareness of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among the Hispanic community. There has been a growing infection rate among this population, suggesting that more effort needs to be made to encourage safer sex.

The theme of this year is, "Latinos Unite! Let's Stay Healthy. Get Tested for HIV," and is meant to promote STD prevention techniques such as getting tested regularly and using protection.

"HIV/AIDS continues to be alive in the Latino/Hispanic community. It's important for all of us to get tested and know our status," said Melissa Faith Ramirez, director of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day.

One of the reasons that the infection rate may be so high among this population is that many Latino communities are lacking access to HIV testing services. The president of the Latino Commission on AIDS, Guillermo Chacon, said that all Hispanics need to ban together to fight this issue adding that "HIV does not discriminate."