Parkland focuses on prevention this National Latino AIDS Awareness Day

Expands testing, PrEP, and education to combat HIV disparities in the Latino community

DALLAS – In observance of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), Parkland Health is prioritizing awareness, education and access to essential HIV prevention services while addressing the disproportionate impact of HIV on Latino communities in Dallas County.

NLAAD is observed annually on October 15. The theme for this year is “Get Tested, Get Treated, Get in Control.”

Despite advances in treatment and prevention, the Latino community faces significant disparities as it relates to HIV. While Latinos account for 32% of the population in Dallas County, a large majority of new HIV cases are among Latino and Hispanic individuals, according to Susana M. Lazarte, MD, infectious diseases specialist at Parkland and Associate Professor of Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Nationally, 32 % of new HIV diagnoses were among Latinos with the demographic only making up 18% of the general U.S. population.

Many of these diagnoses occur at a late stage, often when individuals have already progressed to AIDS. This increases their risk for complications and mortality.

“Increased awareness and education are crucial to HIV prevention,” said Dr. Lazarte. “While testing is important, Parkland’s efforts go beyond that. It’s about teaching the community that early diagnosis and access to preventive care like PrEP can change lives.”

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a medication taken daily or via bi-monthly injection that significantly reduces the risk of contracting HIV by preventing the virus from establishing an infection in the body. It’s a crucial tool in HIV prevention, especially for individuals at higher risk, as it offers an effective way to stay protected before potential exposure.

Parkland has intensified its HIV prevention strategies across the health system, including expanding access to PrEP, offering HIV education and prevention at all Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) locations and conducting screenings at Access to Care Pop-Ups, during community outreach activities and in Parkland’s Emergency Department. In line with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, Parkland now offers HIV testing as part of routine care for every adult patient, with a goal of early diagnosis and intervention.

“Latino communities face barriers when it comes to accessing preventive care like PrEP due to factors like insurance, stigma and access to care,” Dr. Lazarte stated. “We see stigma in the Latino community at levels reminiscent of the 1980s. Many still believe they’re exempt from risk, but HIV can affect anyone.”

Parkland experts recommend every individual be tested at least once in their lifetime in accordance with the U.S. Prevention Task Force recommendations, as well as every time they have a new sexual partner. Patients can also ask their general practitioners for a test during their routine checkups any time they feel they could use one.

Dr. Lazarte and her team recognize that cultural factors and stigma often prevent Latino individuals from seeking care. She says healthcare providers play a critical role in breaking down these barriers by normalizing conversations about sexual health.

Armando Quiroz, HIV test counselor at the ACCESS clinic in Parkland’s Moody Outpatient Center, focuses on bilingual outreach, specifically in the Latino community. Parkland’s outreach initiatives include health fairs, community-based organizations, academic institutions and faith-based communities in Parkland’s priority ZIP Codes.

“We have a great collaboration with our community health workers and our community partners that are all involved in our commitment to end the HIV epidemic,” Quiroz said. “We’re aiming to reach the multigenerational Latino community and empower them with education about sexual health, a topic that they have historically viewed as taboo but should be as routine as checking your blood pressure.”

Parkland offers HIV screenings at no cost to Dallas County residents every Thursday at:

• Moody Outpatient Center, 5151 Maple Ave., Dallas, 75235

(First floor main entrance, near the Moody Starbucks Café)

• Ron J. Anderson, MD Clinic Building, 5184 Tex Oak Ave., Dallas, 75235

(First floor, near the snack market by the check-in counter)

“The earlier you know your status, the sooner you can take control of your health. If diagnosed early, HIV can be treated to the point where a person can live a normal life without transmitting the virus to others,” Dr. Lazarte said.

For more information about HIV services available at Parkland visit https://www.parklandhealth.org/parkland-hiv-services-department.