-- Latinos make up almost half of all newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases reported in Los Angeles County compared to 19 percent nationally.

-- A week of activities aimed at raising awareness and encouraging HIV counseling and testing to coincide with National Latino AIDS Awareness Day observed on October 15.

-- October 14, Our Community, Our Responsibility: Latinos in Action -- Latino AIDS activists, public health officials, policy makers and other community leaders will gather to discuss strategies aimed at stemming the growing number of Latinos affected by HIV/AIDS. Discussions will focus on policy, funding and media strategies.

-- October 14-18, Free HIV Counseling and Testing -- Nearly 40 HIV testing and counseling sites throughout L.A. County will step up efforts to encourage Latinos to get tested. Recent studies show that some Latinos are testing way too late and are often infected 8 to 10 years before getting tested for HIV. It is likely many have unknowingly transmitted HIV to others during this time. Early treatment can help prevent an AIDS diagnosis and lead to a good quality of life.

WHEN & WHERE

Oct. 14, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, Our Community, Our Responsibility: Latinos in Action -- media invited at 8:30 am, California Endowment, Redwood Room, 1000 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, 90012

HIV Counseling and Testing sites -- media invited by appointment

-- Oct. 16, 10 am to 4 pm, Homeboy Enterprises, 130 W. Bruno Street, Los Angeles 90012

-- Oct. 15, 10 am to 3 pm, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, MacArthur Park, 1321 E. Anaheim Street, Long Beach 90815

-- Oct. 15, 11 am to 9 pm, Altamed Health Services & Oldtimers Foundation, Shopping Center at Pacific & Florence

-- Oct. 17, 10 am to Noon, Bienestar, Donut Shop at Florence & Pacific Blvd, Huntington Park, 90255

-- Oct. 18, 10 am to 4 pm, JWCH Institute, Men's Central Jail Health Fair, 441 Bauchet Street, Los Angeles, 90012

-- For full list of events and for more information, please visit NLAAD-LA.org or HIVLA.org

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES

Our Community, Our Responsibility: Latinos in Action -- media invited at 8:30 am

-- Mario J. Perez, Director, Office of AIDS Programs and Policy

-- Richard Zaldivar, Executive Director, The Wall Las Memorias

-- Paulina Zamudio, Manager, Prevention Services Division, Office of AIDS Programs and Policy

-- Latino AIDS activists and HIV/AIDS service providers

BACKGROUND: NLAAD began in 2003 as a creation of the Latino Commission on AIDS and the Hispanic Federation in partnership with a variety of local faith and community groups. This year's event planning was conducted by Los Angeles HIV/AIDS community-based organizations and endorsed by the County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health's Office of AIDS Programs and Policy.

Source: County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health Office of AIDS Programs and Policy

CONTACT: Calvin Fleming, +1-213-488-1601, or Eddie Gutierrez, +1-323-401-6332, both for County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health Office of AIDS Programs and Policy

Web site: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/

http://nlaad-la.org/

http://hivla.org/

www.aegis.org