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The National Latino AIDS Action Agenda Network (NLAAN) Releases Federal Policy Recommendations - Addressing the Latino AIDS Crisis
NEW YORK, June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The Latino Commission on AIDS and its
community partners join eight cities acrossthe United States (Los Angeles,
New York,Washington, DC,Philadelphia,Puerto Rico,Miami,San Antonio and
Chicago) in releasing Latino/Hispanic HIV/AIDS Federal Policy recommendations
- addressing the Latino AIDS Crisis to address the HIV/AIDS emergency in
Latino/Hispanic communities across the nation, includingPuerto Rico and the
U.S. Virgin Islands. With 120 organizations represented by over 350
individuals already signed on in support of the document, the release comes in
response to the health emergency caused by the accelerated growth of the
HIV/AIDS epidemic in Hispanic/Latino communities across the nation.
"It is unconscionable that Latinos are not getting equal access to the
HIV/AIDS medical services they need and deserve," stated Congresswoman Nydia
Velazquez. "I am committed to correcting this injustice, and will continue my
work -- in concert with community activists and state and federal officials --
to ensure the needs of HIV patients throughout the U.S. andPuerto Rico are
met."
"Latinos are testing positive for HIV, being diagnosed with AIDS and dying
from the disease at four times the rate per 100,000 when compared to
Caucasians. This continued inattention to our needs is unacceptable. The
Latino/Hispanic HIV/AIDS Federal Policy recommendations - addressing the
Latino AIDS Crisis are a wake up call to our nation and our elected
officials," said Latino Commission on AIDS President Dennis de Leon.
The announcement received support from many leaders. "NASTAD is committed
to raising HIV/AIDS awareness and improving quality of prevention, care and
treatment services among Latino communities in the U.S. We are pleased with
the progress made on the development of this important document. We are
looking forward to reviewing the Federal Policy Recommendations," declared
Julie Scofield, Executive Director of the National Alliance of State and
Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD).
As of 2004, more than 93,000 Latinos inthe United States have died as a
result of AIDS-related illnesses, and the CDC estimates that more than 80,000
Hispanics are currently infected with AIDS. Over 60% of Latino HIV and AIDS
cases are found inCalifornia,New York,New Jersey,Texas,Florida andPuerto
Rico. The Latino/Hispanic community has responded to this crisis as a single
voice.
"A historic coming together of community leaders, health departments,
service providers, researchers and advocates has helped us for the first time
create a clear national agenda to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Latino
community," stated Lillian Rodriguez, President of Hispanic Federation.
Latino/Hispanic HIV/AIDS Federal Policy recommendations - addressing the
Latino AIDS Crisis is a community effort to create an up-to-date HIV/AIDS
public policy that identifies the key Latino needs, sets out specific
recommendations, mobilizes Latino/Hispanic community leadership and produces
an increase in access to services, equity in funding and better quality of
life.
Photos available upon request.
For more information visit: http://www.LatinoAIDSagenda.org
Media Contact:
Oscar Raul Lopez
(Cell) 646-246-7396
Guillermo Chacon
(Cell) 212-920-1611
SOURCE National Latino AIDS Action Agenda Network
Copyright © 2009, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2009, NewsBlaze,
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