Newspapers Publish Articles Addressing HIV/AIDS In Hispanic Communities

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 12 Mar 2008 - 11:00 PDT

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Two newspapers recently published articles addressing HIV/AIDS in Hispanic communities. Summaries appear below.

• "AIDS Message on Wheels": La Clinica -- a Milwaukee-based health clinic for Hispanics -- is increasing efforts to reduce the spread of HIV in the community. The clinic in collaboration with its sponsoring agency La Casa de Esperanza has purchased a van that by the end of this year will be equipped and staffed to travel to Hispanic communities in Waukesha County, Minn., to provide HIV/AIDS education. Lee Wipfli, manager of La Clinica, said clinic staff will be trained to encourage Hispanics involved in high-risk sex to receive an HIV test and education about the disease. In addition, staff traveling in the van will distribute bilingual pamphlets about HIV. Wipfli added that similar van-oriented programs are in operation in El Paso, Texas, and New York City (Enriquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3/8).
  

• "Hispanics Suffer Growing Rates of HIV/AIDS": HIV/AIDS is a serious health threat in the Hispanic community because of a lack of basic health care, HIV prevention and treatment services, and stigma, according to some experts and CDC. In addition, undocumented Hispanics often are reluctant to receive an HIV test or seek treatment because they are afraid they will be deported, Tom Rucci, AIDS outreach coordinator at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department, said. Hispanics account for about 2% of all HIV/AIDS cases in the county. Rucci said that although the number of reported HIV cases among Hispanics in the county "is small," it is "still alarming" because Hispanics are "less likely to be tested, and if positive, less likely to seek treatment." The county health department is increasing efforts to provide HIV education and awareness to Hispanics, Rucci said, adding that the key to reducing the spread of HIV in the community is to build relationships with community members and collaborate with churches and local groups (Trevizo, Chattanooga Times Free Press, 3/8).

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