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New York, August 25, 2025 — October 15 marks National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), a nationwide community initiative that promotes HIV testing, prevention, and access to HIV treatment within diverse communities, addressing the unique health challenges faced by the Hispanic/Latino population.
The 2025 NLAAD campaign brings together communities, service providers, and organizations serving Hispanic/Latino individuals across the U.S. and its territories under one powerful theme:
“Should I get tested for HIV? Yes!”
Founded in 2003 by the Latino Commission on AIDS and the Hispanic Federation, NLAAD has grown into a national movement. In 2023, NLAAD celebrated its 20th anniversary by focusing on HIV prevention strategies. In 2024, the campaign highlighted modern HIV treatment options that allow people living with HIV to lead healthy, regular lives and reach undetectable viral levels, preventing sexual transmission.
In 2025, NLAAD centers its efforts on HIV testing, recognizing it as a critical step in ending the epidemic. An estimated 170,000 people in the United States are living with HIV and unaware of their status. This gap in diagnosis delays access to life-saving treatment and increases the risk of unknowingly transmitting the virus. By promoting testing, NLAAD aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and empower individuals to take control of their health.
The success of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day lies in the number of events held across the country, year after year. From health fairs and HIV testing sites to information tabling, beauty queen pageants, drag shows, sports events, webinars, food and music festivals, and religious services—YOU have helped shape NLAAD into a powerful movement. Over the past 20 years, your dedication, creativity, and commitment have allowed us to reach communities far and wide. We hope you’ll continue to stand with us as we work toward our ultimate goal: ending the HIV epidemic among Latino communities and across the entire American population.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hispanic people accounted for over one-third of the 39,201 new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. and its territories in 2023, despite representing only about 19% of the population. This disproportionate impact continues to grow, driven by stigma, language barriers, and limited access to care—especially among young gay men and in the Southern region, which accounts for over 50% of new HIV cases.
“National Latino AIDS Awareness Day underscores the urgent need to address the structural barriers that keep Southern Latinx communities from equitable access to HIV prevention and care, Federal and state policies that restrict healthcare access and underfund prevention efforts only deepen these disparities. NLAAD is an opportunity to advocate for systemic change to ensure Latinx communities in the South have the resources and tools they need to access health care” said Judith Montenegro, Director of Latinos in the South.
“This year, NLAAD is focusing on HIV testing because it’s the first and most important step in ending the epidemic. There are still around 170,000 people in the U.S. living with HIV who don’t know it. If we don’t know our status, we can’t get the care we need or protect others. Testing opens the door to treatment, prevention, and peace of mind—and that’s what we want for our communities,” said Luis Mares, Director of Community Mobilization at the Latino Commission on AIDS.
Get Involved in NLAAD 2025
We invite individuals and organizations to participate in this year’s campaign by:
- Learning and sharing information about HIV testing, PrEP, and treatment.
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Organizing and registering NLAAD events at www.nlaad.org or by scanning the QR code down below.
- Using and distributing campaign materials: infographics, fact sheets, posters, and social media resources available in our website.
- Customizing the campaign to meet the needs of your local community.
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Using hashtags #NLAAD and #NLAAD2025 to amplify the message online.
- Attending the NLAAD Press Conference in New York City on October 8th, 2025, at 10AM at the steps of City Hall.
- Joining the NLAAD Press Conference in Atlanta on October 15th ,2025, during Encuentro 2025 at the Georgian Terrace (details to be announced).
- Participating in the 2025 NLAAD Webinars.
Together, we can end the HIV epidemic in Latino communities and across the nation.
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