Community Groups Commemorate National Latino AIDS Awareness Day With New Report Calling for Heightened Dialogue, Increased HIV/AIDS Funding

CHICAGO- Flanked by State Representative Cynthia Soto and other government officials, representatives of the Greater Humboldt Park Community of Wellness will present the findings of a major new report examining contributing factors and solutions to high rates of HIV/AIDS among Illinois Latinos. The authors will publicly unveil the report in commemoration of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), October 15.

Authored by a coalition of community groups, the report calls on community members and civic leaders to respond to inadequate HIV/AIDS funding and awareness within Illinois Latino communities. The report recommends increased HIV/AIDS funding, especially for case management and housing assistance, expanded HIV/AIDS public education and awareness campaigns, and stronger advocacy programs.

“Insufficient resources are slowing progress against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Illinois Latino communities,” said Miguel Palacio of Association House and chair of the Greater Humboldt Park Community of Wellness. “Even worse, the disease is so stigmatized within the Latino community that too few community members have adequate information about the disease or the prevention education and healthcare they need to address it. We must advocate for increased funding while promoting dialogue about HIV/AIDS within the community.”

Latinos in Chicago and across the country remain disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. The disease is the fourth leading cause of death among Latino men and women aged 35 to 44. Over 3,300 Latinos in Chicago are living with HIV/AIDS, which is 16% of all the cases reported in the city. Compared to Caucasians, Latinos are more likely to die of HIV/AIDS related complications.

By 2050, it is expected that 24% of the U.S. population will be Latino. Therefore, drastically decreasing the growing incidence of HIV/AIDS among Latinos must be a priority at the city, state and national levels. In response to these factors, NLAAD was founded in 2002 to galvanize local efforts and to bridge collaboration on HIV testing, awareness, and prevention.

The official Illinois NLAAD commemoration will commence at noon on Monday, October 15 in the Thompson Center. Community members and guests will assemble at 11:30 a.m. A large group of concerned residents will attend. Presentations will be made in both English and Spanish, and the results of the Community of Wellness report will be presented onstage.

The Greater Humboldt Park Community of Wellness includes community members and over 40 organizations, including healthcare providers, human service agencies, advocacy groups, research institutions, schools, and institutions of higher education.

As of October 15, 2007, the report will be accessible at www.humboldtparkbeehive.org.

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Executive Summary

Call to Action Report

NLAAD Home Page

Latino Commission on AIDS

NIAID Official Statement