State's HIV Campaign Is Targeted at Hispanics

Effort Coincides With This Week's Nationwide Push to Test for Virus

The Virginia Department of Health has been using Spanish radio to encourage Hispanics living in Northern Virginia to get tested for HIV.

The $50,000 statewide advertising campaign coincides with National HIV Testing Day, a day to encourage people to learn their HIV status. The testing day, which was yesterday, was started in 1995 by the National Association of People With AIDS.

The earlier you catch the virus, the earlier you can start treatment, said Alison Ansher, Prince William County health director.

"Not only is it better for the person, but we can also try and prevent transmission to other people," she said.

Virginia's statewide effort focuses on urban areas and minorities. "Historically, these populations have more difficult access to care and are underserved. And they are disproportionately affected by HIV in comparison to the white population," said Kathryn Hafford, acting director of the state health department's division of disease prevention.

In Northern Virginia, Hispanics represent 11 percent of the population reported to have HIV. That is a "higher percentage than any other part of the state. If you watch the trend over the years, the numbers have been consistently going up," Hafford said of the percentage of HIV cases who are Hispanic. "The numbers are small, just a few cases each year, but we are seeing it going up." In contrast to the rate among whites and African Americans, she said, the figures for Hispanics "are certainly not spiking and going down."

The advertising campaign also aims to broaden the idea of getting tested among people who are not in high-risk groups.

"There are many people out there who are HIV-infected and don't know it. The prediction is 1 in 4 people with HIV doesn't know it," said Lucy Caldwell, a spokeswoman for the state health department. "That translates to 7,000 Virginians."

Numerous state and local organizations offered free testing in Northern Virginia yesterday.