FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 11, 2019

LAS VEGAS – As part of this year’s National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), the Southern Nevada Health District is partnering with the Southern Nevada HIV Awareness Consortium for the “Big Oh” Health Fair between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Nucleus Plaza, 916 W. Owens Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89106. For more information, visit the Southern Nevada HIV Awareness Consortium’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SNHIVAC/.

The Health District, the Consortium, and AIDS Healthcare Foundation will offer HIV and syphilis screenings at the mobile unit. During the event, information about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), flu vaccines, medical services, entertainment, and more will be available.

This year’s theme for National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day is “Living with HIV or not . . . we’re fighting this together” with an emphasis on the tools that are available to address HIV in the community. Everyone is encouraged to learn his or her HIV status, to consider PrEP or PEP, to stay in HIV treatment so the virus becomes undetectable, and to use condoms. National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day is a call to promote HIV testing, prevention, and treatment in the Hispanic and Latinx communities. Additional information is available on the National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day webpage.

Hispanics/Latinos represent nearly 18 percent of the U.S. population; however, they accounted for 26 percent of the 40,324 new HIV diagnoses in 2016. New HIV diagnoses among Hispanic women/Latinas decreased 14 percent from 2011 to 2015 and remained stable among Hispanics/Latinos overall. Although these trends show progress in the community, new HIV diagnoses increased 13 percent among Hispanic/Latino gay and bisexual men during the same period. For more information, visit the CDC’s HIV and Hispanics/Latinos page.

The Sexual Health Clinic provides HIV/AIDS services that include testing, counseling, case management, outreach efforts, and community referrals. In addition, the Sexual Health Clinic offers STD screenings, treatment, exams, referrals, and counseling. The clinic is open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday at 280 S. Decatur Blvd. and accepts most insurance. For information, call (702) 759-0702. All testing is confidential.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.