Thread: Latino Aids Conference and Illegals

http://cbs4.com/local/local_story_211101252.html

Miami Beach Hosts Conference On Latinos & AIDS
Rosie Perez Is Keynote Speaker

Dr. Sean Kenniff
Reporting

(CBS4) MIAMI BEACH Actress and longtime AIDS activist Rosie Perez joins hundreds of medical leaders through Tuesday on Miami Beach for the National Conference on Latinos and AIDS.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has described the virus as a growing health crisis in America's Latino community.

Latinos have the second-highest AIDS rate in the nation, a rate three-and-a-half times higher than whites. Latinos are only 14 percent of the US population but 19 percent of the HIV/AIDS cases diagnosed. Of the 1.2 million people living with AIDS, 200,000 are Latino. HIV/AIDS is the 6th leading cause of death among Latino men and the 5th leading killer of Latinas. The HIV/AIDS case rate is 6 times higher for Latinas than for white women.

Since Latinos are the fastest growing population group in the country, the need for testing has never been greater.

The purpose of the conference is to discuss new treatments, technologies and prevention strategies against HIV/AIDS.

There will also be topics about lack of access to medical care and lack of awareness of the AIDS virus within the nation's community of undocumented immigrants.

Hundreds of doctors, nurses, government researchers and leaders of community-based AIDS service organizations are expected to attend.

Keynote speaker, actress and film director Rosie Perez has been an outspoken Aids activist, hoping to inspire a new generation of advocates for universal treatment and prevention information about HIV/AIDS.

"How do you talk to them, and how do they handle their treatment, their medication, and their aftercare," she said, speacking about the importance of latinos speaking to Latinos about HIV/AIDS.

Perez has a special passion about the risk of Aids among inner city youth. She has organized numerous AIDS fundraisers and speaks frequently at AIDS conferences. Perez has been honored by the AIDS Action Foundation, Gay Men's Health Crisis and Latino Commission on AIDS.

The conference is taking place at the Miami Beach Resort and Spa, 4833 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach.

Sorry, I am wiping my tears.

Latinos have the second-highest AIDS rate in the nation, a rate three-and-a-half times higher than whites. Latinos are only 14 percent of the US population but 19 percent of the HIV/AIDS cases diagnosed.

Now why am I not surprised?