National Latino AIDS Awareness Day – October 15, 2003.

HIV has been a fact of life in Latino communities for more than 20 years. Since 2001, more than 150,000 Latino AIDS cases have been reported, with the incidence among Hispanics three times greater than the rate of the general population. Additionally, the Center for Disease Control reported that Latinas were seven times more likely to be infected than white women. For the first time ever, October 15 will be recognized as National Latino AIDS Awareness Day. Terra.com, the U.S. Hispanic portal of the Terra Lycos network, the Latino Commission on AIDS, and the Hispanic Federation, a non-profit organization of health and human service agencies, will spearhead an Internet initiative whose goal will be to increase AIDS awareness among U.S. Latinos.

Other well-known Hispanic Internet sites participating in the pro-bono banner campaigns include the Starmedia network of sites, Yahoo! En Espanol, YupiMSN and AOL Latino.

Terra.com, the Latino Commission on AIDS, and the Hispanic Federation will strive to maximize the impact of the National Latino AIDS Awareness Day on national and local levels by creating a comprehensive online resource. Using extensive knowledge of the U.S. Latino sector and coming at a time when the Latino Internet population is rapidly growing, the team hopes to reach an unprecedented number with their message.

“The Internet is a fast and efficient way to reach those most susceptible to the disease—minority youth,” said Manuel Bellod, CEO of Terra.com and newly appointed member of the Hispanic Federation Board of Directors. “Reaching this group is imperative to the well-being of our communities.” Since his appointment earlier this year, Bellod has committed to focus on initiatives that leverage the Internet to increase AIDS awareness and advance the goals of the fight against AIDS.

By logging on to http://www.latinoaidsday.org sponsors and participants can register and become part of the events on National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, October 15, 2003.

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http://www.latinoaidsday.org/docs/kit.pdf

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