In September 2015, the ASPIRA Association entered a partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Partnering and Communicating Together to Act Against AIDS (PACT) to address the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS among the Hispanic/Latino population and other groups. ASPIRA’s primary partner in this effort is the National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA). PACT is a partnership between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and some of the nation’s leading organizations representing the populations hardest hit by HIV and AIDS. PACT’s primary purpose is to promote HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, communication, testing, and mobilization goals and strategies wherever Americans live, work, play, worship, and learn. Partnerships allow CDC to extend the reach of HIV prevention messages while providing partners an opportunity to actualize organizational goals and social responsibility.

The facts about HIV/AIDS

About 1.2 million people in the United States were living with HIV at the end of 2012. Of those people, about 12.8% did not know were infected. Since the beginning of the epidemic, AIDS has claimed more than 100,000 lives among U.S. Hispanics. In 2010, Latinos accounted for one in every five deaths from HIV/AIDS. Today, Hispanics continued to be overrepresented among those living with HIV/AIDS. Hispanics also have a disproportionate rate of new cases and those who are not in continuing care. According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, Hispanics account for 20% of people living with HIV and 21% of new cases per year (242,000 and 9,800 respectively), while only accounting for 17% of the total populations. This data means that about one in 50 Hispanics will be diagnosed with HIV during their lifetime. Hispanic women face especially severe disparities. The rate of new infections among Hispanic women is more than four times that of white women, while the rate of new infections among Hispanic men is almost three times that among white men.[1] Moreover, In 2013, 21% of all new HIV infections were among youth aged 13-24. We must also keep in mind that gay and bisexual men of all races and ethnicities are the most affected by HIV. Heterosexuals and Injection Drug Users respectively accounted for 25% and 8% of estimated new HIV infections in 2010.

Proposed Outcomes

While using various communication strategies, both ASPIRA, and NHCOA work together to reach the following outcomes:

  • Increased exposure to AAA campaigns and corresponding HIV-related messaging among the Latino population
  • Increased HIV-related information-seeking behaviors among the target audiences
  • Increased facilitation of HIV testing among the Latino population
  • Increased number of individuals who receive an HIV test
  • Increased numbers of partners promoting HIV prevention strategies

For More Information

If you are interested in learning more about PACT and how you can partner with ASPIRA and NHCOA to Act Against AIDS at the local and national level, please contact us, Hilda Crespo at [email protected] or Maria Eugenia Lane at [email protected].

Page Table of Content

  1. What does MSM stand for?
    • MSM Toolbox.
    • HIV Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men who have Sex with Men.
  2. HIV Biomedical Research
  3. Testing Centers
  4. HIV-AIDS Hotlines
  5. On line Support Networks
  6. Stigma and Homophobia
  7. What is Stigma?
  8. HIV Myths
  9. World AIDS Documentary
  10. Make Learning About HIV fun!: Lesson plan/ games
  11. AIDS – HIV Videos and Information in English
  12. Vídeos e Información sobre HIV-AIDS en Español

What does MSM stand for?

MSM is a male who has sex with another male. MSM represent approximately 2% of the United States population, yet are the population most severely affected by HIV. In 2010, young MSM (aged 13-24 years) accounted for 72% of new HIV infections among all persons aged 13 to 24, and 30% of new infections among all MSM. ASPIRA aims to reduce the HIV incident rate for Latino MSM.

MSM Toolbox

One of the President’s top HIV/AIDS policy priorities is the development and implementation of a National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). Reaching Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are an important part of that Strategy.

MSM represent approximately 2% of the United States population, yet are the population most severely affected by HIV. In 2010, young MSM (aged 13-24 years) accounted for 72% of new HIV infections among all persons aged 13 to 24, and 30% of new infections among all MSM. At the end of 2010, an estimated 489,121 (56%) persons living with an HIV diagnosis in the United States were MSM or MSM-IDU. (Source: CDC )

HIV Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men who have Sex with Men

The link provided below offers more information and facts about HIV among gay and bisexual men. Topics discussed are new HIV infection rates, diagnoses, preventative challenges, and other action projects. Take a look at the CDC’s fact sheets and surveillance information on MSM and Latino MSM.

HIV Biomedical Research

ASPIRA has partnered with “Be the Generation” to promote HIV prevention research. BTG’s goal is to provide promote awareness, understanding, and support for biomedical prevention research, including HIV vaccines, microbicides, pre-exposure prophylaxis research (PrEP) and treatment as prevention (TasP). BTG also provides accurate and relevant information about ongoing clinical research because the future success of HIV prevention research depends on the understanding, trust, support, and participation of all communities. Click here for more information on this subject.

Testing Centers

Knowing your HIV status is important! According to the CDC, in the U.S. 1.2 million people are infected with HIV. 20% of those infected are unaware of their HIV status. Those undiagnosed 20% are responsible for up to 70% of the new infections each year in the United States.

Do you know where the nearest testing center is? Check out these sites to find out and get tested today.

HIV-AIDS Hotlines

If you have a question on a health or wellness issue, we strongly encourage you to call one of the hotlines below to speak to a qualified professional or speak to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, or guidance counselor. Listed below are hotlines, help lines, and information lines all pertaining to HIV and AIDs.

Online support networks

You are not alone! There is a supportive network that cares for you. HIV diagnosis can be very emotional, and people frequently isolate themselves from the world when diagnosed with HIV. Support groups provide a safe place for participants to deal with the psychological impact of living with HIV/AIDS. Check out these support groups and chat lines to get advice and share you story today!

Stigma and Homophobia

Some Hispanics/Latinos may avoid seeking testing, counseling, or treatment if infected because of immigration status, stigma, or fear of discrimination. Traditional gender roles, cultural norms (“machismo,” which stresses virility for Hispanics/Latino men, and “marianismo,” which demands purity from Latina women), and the stigma around homosexuality may add to prevention challenges.

What is stigma?

Stigma is a mark of disgrace that sets a person apart. When a person is labeled by their illness they are seen as part of a stereotyped group. Negative attitudes create prejudice which leads to negative actions and discrimination.

There is a great deal of stigma associated with having HIV/AIDs.

Factors that contribute to HIV/AIDS-related stigma include:

  • HIV/AIDS is a life-threatening disease, therefore people react to it in strong ways.
  • Many people associate HIV infection with behaviors (such as homosexuality, drug addiction, prostitution or promiscuity) that are already stigmatized in many societies
  • Most people become infected with HIV through sex, which for some people carry moral baggage.
  • There is a lot of inaccurate information about how HIV is transmitted, creating irrational behavior and misperceptions of personal risk.
  • HIV infection is often thought to be the result of personal irresponsibility.
  • Religious or moral beliefs lead some people to believe that being infected with HIV is the result of moral fault.
  • The effects of antiretroviral therapy on people’s physical appearance can result in forced disclosure and discrimination based on appearance.

Find out more information about stigma associated with HIV at:

The followingt video highlights people living with HIV talking about the impact of HIV-related stigma on their lives and communities.

Many people around the country aim to stop the stigma associated with HIV. One group called Positivo is carrying out a new campaign to stop the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS in North Philadelphia. Click here to read article and find out what Positivo is doing in their community!

HIV Myths

There are many myths associated with HIV. Do you know the facts? Check out this slideshow and dispel the myths!

Having correct information is the key to understanding and preventing HIV/AIDS. Here are some common myths about HIV/AIDS that are not true. Read this article by OWH.

World AIDS Documentary

An exclusive World AIDS Day event: The Beginning of the End of AIDS. Watch (RED) & ONE’s World AIDS Day live broadcast — powered by YouTube — featuring President Barack Obama, President George W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, Bono, Alicia Keys, Elton John, and others.

Make Learning About HIV fun!: Lesson plan/ games

Here are some ways that you can make learning about HIV fun. Games, quizzes and activities help get the message across in a fun interactive setting. Check out the following resources:

AIDS – HIV Videos and Information in English

The DOES HIV LOOK LIKE ME? United States campaign (www.doeshivlooklikeme.org), produced by Hope’s Voice International. The campaign consists of videos campaign created by ambassadors; young people between the ages of 15 and 29, living with HIV or AIDS (YPLHIV/A). The ambassadors are human rights leaders standing up to fight misconception, stigma and inequality with their faces, voices and individual stories. Take a look at this video!

The following video takes a look at three very different people living with HIV describe their experiences with the virus. Check this video out to learn more.

Start Talking. Stop HIV., CDC’s national campaign created by and for gay and bisexual men, promotes open communication about HIV prevention among sexual partners and encourages men in all types of relationships to talk about: HIV testing, their HIV status, condom use, and medicines that help prevent and treat HIV.

Vídeos e Información en Español

  • El VIH entre los hispanos o latinos en los Estados Unidos y áreas dependientes. Este sitio web proporciona información sobre el VIH en los Estados Unidos. Mira estos hechos impactantes para sí mismo!
  • Ximena Navarrete, Miss Universo 2010 y Alejandra Barillas, Miss Guatemala 2011, invitan a todas y todos a hacerse la prueba de VIH. No importa quién seas, ¡hazte la prueba de VIH ya!
  • Se trata de un folleto imprimible que explica hechos sobre el VIH y el SIDA. Imprima este folleto y dile a tus amigos de la información que ha aprendido!
  • VihvO! Es la muestra de arte y cultura frente al estigma del VIH. Vea el siguiente video para ver cómo la gente elige vivir la vida a lo máximo.
  • Novena Campaña Nacional de Prevención del VIH / SIDA subraya la importancia de utilizar un condón y la práctica de sexo seguro.
  • Con motivo de promover el Día Nacional de la Prueba del VIH, el cantante Juanes grabó un video en el que explica la importancia de hacerse la prueba del VIH.