National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day: October 15, 2024

October 15 marks National Latinx* AIDS Awareness Day, an event dedicated to raising awareness about HIV’s impact on Latine communities and addressing the social and structural issues contributing to health disparities.

Health outcomes in Latine communities are heavily impacted by social and structural issues such as homophobia, stigma, and racism. These barriers hinder access to healthcare, delaying testing, treatment, and support for HIV.

Healthcare providers must be proactive in addressing these barriers. By fostering an environment of trust, inclusivity, and support, providers can play a vital role in raising awareness and promoting inclusive care for Latine individuals affected by HIV. This includes advocating for policies that reduce health inequities, such as implementing culturally sensitive practices, offering bilingual services and materials, and providing education on HIV prevention and treatment.

In observing National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day, it’s essential to acknowledge and tackle the distinct challenges Latine communities face. By dedicating ourselves to understanding these issues and providing empathetic, targeted care, we can make strides toward eradicating HIV-related health disparities and promoting equitable health outcomes for everyone.

Resources for more learning:

• Latin X Culture and Community Series
• CC: How I Got Over: The Journey to Cultural Competence
• HIVInfo: National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day
• HHS.gov: HIV/AIDS and Hispanic Americans

* Latinx, a gender-neutral term inclusive of all people of Latin American descent, including Latino/a, Latine, and Hispanic – identified people