In observance of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) on October 15, Parkland Health is prioritizing awareness, education, and access to essential HIV prevention services, addressing the disproportionate impact of HIV on Latino communities in Dallas County. This year's theme is “Get Tested, Get Treated, Get in Control.”
Despite advancements in treatment and prevention, significant disparities exist within the Latino community regarding HIV. According to Dr. Susana M. Lazarte, an infectious diseases specialist at Parkland and Associate Professor of Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Latinos account for 32% of Dallas County's population, yet a majority of new HIV cases are among Latino and Hispanic individuals. Nationally, 32% of new HIV diagnoses occur within the Latino demographic, which makes up only 18% of the general U.S. population.
Many of these diagnoses are made at late stages, often when individuals have progressed to AIDS, increasing 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 daily medication or bi-monthly injection that significantly reduces the risk of contracting HIV by preventing the virus from establishing an infection in the body. It is a vital tool for individuals at higher risk, offering effective protection before potential exposure.
To combat these disparities, Parkland has intensified its HIV prevention strategies across the health system. This includes 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, and in Parkland’s Emergency Department. In line with CDC recommendations, Parkland now offers routine HIV testing for all adult patients to promote 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. She noted that stigma within the Latino community remains high, reminiscent of attitudes from the 1980s, with many still believing they are exempt from risk. "HIV can affect anyone."
Parkland experts recommend that every individual be tested at least once in their lifetime, following U.S. Prevention Task Force recommendations, and every time they have a new sexual partner. Patients can also request a test during routine checkups whenever they feel necessary.
Recognizing the cultural factors and stigma that often prevent Latino individuals from seeking care, Dr. Lazarte emphasized the role healthcare providers play in normalizing conversations about sexual health. Armando Quiroz, an HIV test counselor at the ACCESS clinic in Parkland’s Moody Outpatient Center, focuses on bilingual outreach in the Latino community.
Parkland’s outreach initiatives include health fairs, partnerships with community organizations, academic institutions, and faith-based communities in priority ZIP codes. "We have a great collaboration with our community health workers and partners in our commitment to end the HIV epidemic," Quiroz said. "We aim to empower the multigenerational Latino community with education about sexual health, a topic 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," Dr. Lazarte said. "If diagnosed early, HIV can be treated to the point where a person can live a normal life without transmitting the virus to others."
For more information about HIV services available at Parkland, visit Parkland Health's HIV Services.
