National Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Oct. 15

Health District encourages Latino community to get tested

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 13, 2016

LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District encourages the Valley’s Hispanic residents to learn their HIV status and to get tested as part of National Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Saturday, Oct. 15. In observance, the Health District and its partners will provide free HIV testing between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at The Center, 401 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, 89101. For additional information, call The Center at (702) 733-9800.

In 2015, Hispanics accounted for 24 percent of people living with HIV, 32 percent of new HIV diagnoses, and 26 percent of AIDS diagnoses in Clark County. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the annual number of HIV diagnoses among Hispanic/Latino gay and bisexual men has increased 16 percent since 2008.

Recent CDC data found that 83 percent of Latinos/Hispanics with an HIV diagnosis had access to medical care within three months of their diagnosis and more than half have remained in care; however, a lower percentage have received prescriptions for HIV medication and have achieved viral suppression – low levels of HIV virus in the blood.

The CDC recommends that voluntary HIV testing become routine for patients between the ages of 13 and 64. The CDC estimates that more than one million Americans are living with HIV, and one in eight of them don’t know they are infected.

In addition to the traditional blood test, the Southern Nevada Health District offers rapid HIV testing that can provide same-day results. The test is $25 and is available at the Sexual Health Clinic 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday. The clinic is located at 280 S. Decatur Blvd. For information, call (702) 759-0702. All testing is confidential.

HIV/AIDS services provided by the Health District’s Sexual Health Clinic include testing, counseling, case management, outreach efforts, and community referrals.

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.