HIV Makes Gains In Hispanic Community.

The US Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) latest national Spanish-English language HIV PSA campaign was launched this October to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in the Latino community and to promote prevention, testing and treatment.

Latinos account for 18 percent of AIDS cases reported since the beginning of the epidemic and there are currently about 76,000 Latinos in the United States living with AIDS. AIDS remains one of the leading causes of death for Latinos between the ages of 35 and 44. Latinos also account for almost 13 percent of all new HIV diagnoses every year.

From studies conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, it was estimated that most of the 37 million Latinos in the United States rely on Spanish-language media, especially radio, for health information, including information on HIV/AIDS. The DHHS is asking Latino media channels to keep this important issue salient and help in the HIV prevention efforts by airing the PSAs produced as often as possible.

Garcia 360°, San Antonio, TX, created the PAREMOS EL VIH.EMPIEZA TU. Campaign. “The messages were designed to highlight awareness of the epidemic among Latinos and the importance of HIV testing,” says Luis Garcia president of Garcia 360°.

All spots encourage viewers to call the National AIDS Spanish-language Hotline (1-800-344-7432) for more information about how to protect themselves and where to get an HIV test. These PSAs deliver strong science-based information that is crucial in helping Latinos make informed choices about how to reduce their risk of HIV infection.

“The spots are very dynamic,” says Dario Campos, creative lead for the campaign. “We want to offer our media partners effective and thought provoking messages that will encourage placement into rotation as much as possible. The key is to continuously raise awareness of the importance of prevention and testing among the Latino community.”

To view spots CLICK below:

http://www.visibilitypr.com/html/focus/clients/pop/garcia_04_frameset.html