Explanation
Title
To declare October 15, 2004, as National Latino AIDS Awareness Day.
Body
WHEREAS, The Latino community of Columbus, Ohio, is one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the region. Many Latinos lack health insurance and are not connected to traditional social service and health care networks. Additionally, Latinos require culturally and linguistically appropriate services that effectively communicate critical health information; and
WHEREAS, Latinos make up 14% of the population in the United States and U.S. territories but account for 20% of the living AIDS cases nationally. Latinos see AIDS as one of the most important health issues facing the nation. Many Latinos have misconceptions about HIV transmission that must be addressed through targeted prevention efforts; and
WHEREAS, It is critical to raise awareness about the prevalence of HIV in the Latino community and to offer culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV testing and prevention programs; and
WHEREAS, Latino AIDS Awareness Day brings an opportunity to increase community awareness and dialogue, to commemorate those who have lost their lives to AIDS, and to bring leaders together to advocate for greater services and community involvement in fighting this epidemic; and
WHEREAS, The Tobias Project, Inc., Columbus Health Department, Westside Community Center, and L.E.O.N. join together to bring about awareness to the Latino community with a commitment to continue to work together to provide services in and throughout the Latino community; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That we do hereby proclaim October 15, 2004, as "LATINO AIDS AWARENESS DAY" in Columbus and encourage all community-based organizations, religious communities, civic groups, elected officials and government agencies to utilize this day to raise awareness of AIDS in the Latino community.