October 12, 2006

Michigan will recognize October 15 as the fourth annual National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) in Michigan. The national theme for this year’s Latino AIDS Awareness Day is "Saber es Poder. Infórmate. Hazte la Prueba del VIH/Knowledge (Power. Get the Facts. Get tested for HIV.").

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) and Michigan's Latino AIDS Advisory Committee once again call on community-based organizations and local health departments to work together to prevent the further spread of HIV/AIDS.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic has had a disproportionate impact on Latinos. In Michigan, as of July 1, 2006, Latinos comprise approximately 3 percent of Michigan's general population, yet they represent 4 percent of those living with HIV or AIDS. MDCH estimates 610 Latinos currently live with HIV/AIDS in Michigan.

While this number may seem relatively small, it is spread out among a small population. The prevalence rate for Latinos is 188 per 100,000 compared to 74 per 100,000 for whites. As of April 1, 2006, five counties in Michigan have a prevalence rate for Hispanics that are higher than the overall statewide rate of 115 per 100,000: Ingham (148), Kent (184), Oakland (148), Washtenaw (158), and Wayne (197). These rates are higher than the previous year.

"There is an estimated quarter of a million Americans who are infected with HIV but do not know it," said Jean Chabut, Deputy Director of the Public Health Administration, MDCH. “Knowing their status could save their lives. With communities of color being disproportionately represented in this epidemic, and with Latinos having the second highest HIV/AIDS case rate in Michigan (with African Americans being the first), it is critical that we educate and encourage Latinos to get tested for HIV.”

In Michigan, there are over 71,000 people who are tested for HIV every year at testing sites funded by MDCH, and approximately 550 of those tested are positive for HIV. Yet only 5 percent of those tested each year are Latino/a.

“With Latinos being two and a half (2 ½) times more likely to be infected with HIV than whites and, with Latinos continuing to get tested later in their illness than whites, it becomes extremely important to reach out to the Latino community and encourage them to get tested,” said Loretta Davis-Satterla, Director of the Division of Health, Wellness, and Disease control, MDCH. “We recognize that the Latino community faces a set of unique challenges in their fight against HIV/AIDS. Issues such as stigma, lack of access to adequate preventive care, and high poverty levels have contributed to the impact of HIV/AIDS. Prevention education along with encouraging realistic lifestyle and behavioral changes are still our best weapons to eradicate this disease.”

Activities in Michigan began September 15th with a kick-off meeting and luncheon held at the University of Michigan – Flint. Activities planned this year include: bi-lingual HIV counseling and testing, distribution of bi-lingual HIV prevention materials, health fairs, display tables, and State and local proclamations. Lillian Piersante of AIDS Partnership Michigan serves as the chair of the State of Michigan’s Latino AIDS Advisory Committee.

A complete list of events is attached. For more information regarding NLAAD events, please contact Robin Orsborn at (517) 241-5936.

Michigan residents, who want to join the Latinos AIDS Awareness campaign, can get additional ideas on what to do in their community from the National Latino AIDS Awareness Day website, http://www.nlaad.org/.