The Latino population in Louisiana since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita is estimated to have swelled from 120,000 people to over 175,000. Since this group has a historically low rate of HIV testing within their community, the state Office of Public Healths HIV/AIDS Program is joining forces with community-based organizations round the state to encourage HIV testing on this years National Latino AIDS Awareness Day.

On October 15, health officials will be bringing the message Wake up! Take Control! Take the HIV Test! to Latino communities throughout the state. Of the new HIV infections among Latinos in Louisiana, 25 percent were females and 61 percent were from the New Orleans Metro area. Also, 41 percent of the Latinos testing positive in 2005 received an AIDS diagnosis within one year, indicating that they received their HIV test after being infected for a significant period of time.

Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Erin Brewer explained, Cultural barriers which prevent the open discussion of sexual health issues and sexuality increasingly put Latinos at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Overall, there is little recognition of the existence of HIV, resulting in low HIV test rates among Latinos. Thats why its so important we bring this awareness effort into the communities.

Free rapid HIV testing and counseling and education will be available in both English and Spanish at various locations and times across the state. Testing is at no-cost to everyone. These events are listed by region below.

Latinos in Louisiana and HIV/AIDS: Barriers and Responses, a one-day workshop, has been scheduled in Alexandria, Louisiana on October 11, 2007. Service providers, outreach workers, government officials, participants from universities, Hispanic ministries, grassroots groups, and Spanish-language media will have an opportunity to learn the state of prevention and care services for Latino residents of Louisiana. If anyone is interested in attending, please contact the Louisiana Office of Public Healths HIV/AIDS Program at (504) 568-7474.

For more information on National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, contact the Louisiana Statewide AIDS/STD Information Line at 1-800-992-4379.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

New Orleans Area:

Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007
El Festival Cultural y Feria de Salud!
2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Santa Anna Church
1313 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, La.
The Latino Outreach Project, a program developed jointly by the Louisiana Office of Public Health, and Acadiana Cares in cooperation with Santa Annas Church will be hosting a Latino cultural fair with tastes of Latin food and Latin music to recognize Latino AIDS Awareness Day. Local organizations such as the NO AIDS Task Force, Camp Ace #5, NR Peace and the Louisiana Latino Health Coalition will provide HIV prevention related information and services at the event. Free HIV testing and counseling in both English and Spanish will be offered.
For more information please contact:
Mikal Giancola at (504) 568-7473

Monday, Oct. 15, 2007
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day Event
10 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Independence Kidkare Klinic (Migrant Health Clinic)
302 East Railroad Ave, Independence, La.
Southeast Area Health Education Center will be hosting a table at a community health clinic that serves Latino migrant health workers.There will be literature in Spanish available concerning HIV and STDS. A translator will be available to give referrals for HIV testing and counseling, mental health services, and primary care.
For more information call:
Robert West at (985) 340-7070

Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day Event
12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
NR Peace Northshore
2765 3rd Street, Slidell, La.
NR Peace Northshore, FACES, and Southwest Louisiana Area Education Center will join together to offer free HIV testing and counseling services from a mobile unit in Slidell. Translators will be available.
For more information call:
Lisa Valido at (985) 643-3182

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day Event
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Planned Parenthood
4018 Magazine Street, New Orleans, La.
Planned Parenthood of Louisiana and the Mississippi Delta, with the Louisiana Latino Health Coalition will be offering free HIV testing and prevention counseling education all day long.
For more information please contact:
Geraldine Bachar at (504) 897-9200

Baton Rouge Area:

Monday, October 15, 2007
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day Testing and Outreach Event
3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Marc Ann Avenue, Baton Rouge, La.
Join Volunteers of America of Baton Rouge, the Baton Rouge AIDS Society, Metro Health of Baton Rouge, HIV/AIDS Alliance of Region II, and Family Services of Baton Rouge on Marc Ann Avenue for an HIV testing and outreach event for Latino residents of Louisiana. Free HIV testing and counseling will be offered in both English and Spanish.
For more information please contact:
Eugene Collins at (225) 650-5955

Lafayette Area:

Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day Testing and Counseling Event
Acadiana Cares
203 West 3rd Street, Lafayette, La.
Acadiana Cares will be offering free HIV testing and counseling in English and Spanish in recognition of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day.
For more information please contact:
Anthony James at (337) 233-2437

Monroe Area:

Monday, Oct. 17, 2007
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day Event
8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Go Care
707 Jackson, Monroe, La.
Go Care of Monroe will be offering free HIV testing and counseling for the Spanish-speaking population in their area. A translator will be available.
For more information please contact:
Gwendolyn Guillory at (318) 325-1092

Lake Charles Area:

Monday, Oct. 15, 2007
National Latino AIDS Awareness Event
Various Times and Locations in Lake Charles and SulphurCall SWLAHEC to find out times and places. Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center will be offering HIV prevention, counseling, testing, and referral services in various locations throughout Lake Charles and Sulphur from SWLAHECs Mobile Health Unit.
For more information please contact:
Brian Burton at (337) 497-0127

Shreveport Area:

Monday, Oct. 15, 2007
Say Yes to Test
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Brotherhood Task Force of Northwest Louisiana
838 Hope Street, Shreveport, La. Brotherhood Taskforce of NWLA will be offering free rapid HIV testing and information on Hepatitis A, B, and C for NLAAD. There will be Spanish translators available.For more information please contact:
Cedric Murphy at (318) 294-2025

Statewide:

Monday, Oct. 15 – Friday Oct. 19, 2007
Engaging the Growing Latino Community
A series of workshops will be held across the state for community agencies and clinics as well as other health providers on “Engaging the Growing Latino Community.” Workshops are tentatively scheduled for Baton Rouge, Hammond, Lafayette, Alexandria and Monroe.
For more information please contact:
Jack Carrel at (504) 568-7474 or email jcarrel@dhh.la.gov

Submitted by Rob Anderson. Filed under General Topics

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