Familias en Acción is excited to partner with the Oregon Health Authority and Washington County to work with the Latino community and many Latino serving organizations on HIV/STI’s and sexual health. Leveraging over 20 years of Latino health services, Familias is ready to take on this critically important health topic and End HIV in Oregon.
Among Latino Oregon residents during 2008-2017, the mean rate of new HIV diagnoses was nearly twice the rate of new diagnoses among Whites. Of those diagnosed during 2012-2016, Latinos were more likely than Whites to progress to meeting criteria for AIDS within 12 months of testing positive; indicating that, on average, Latinos have been infected for a longer time prior to diagnosis.*
Thirteen percent of people estimated to be living with HIV in Oregon at the end of 2017 were Latino.*
We recognize that community participation is essential in formulating a more effective strategy to combat HIV/AIDS in Oregon. Long-term community engagement will be critical to sustaining the involvement of communities in any type of decision-making and activities. In this first year we will focus on developing new relationships related to HIV/STI and sexual health programs for Latinos throughout the state. Also within this first year, we will have a strong focus on WA County Latino residents and the non-profit community in this area.
Of persons diagnosed 2013–2017, 42% of Latinos were diagnosed late compared to 36% among Whites and 26% among Black/African Americans.*
In Washington County the Latino community is disproportionately impacted by HIV/STIs and issues of shame, stigma, and lack of knowledge of risk. Through collaboration and partnerships, Familias will be conducting culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV/STI education and outreach to the Latino community in Washington County. Our focus here is being developed as the first phase of a longer project to increase outreach, health literacy and education to Latinos and their families at high risk for, or who are impacted by, HIV/STIs in Oregon. Our work will include referrals to a variety of services and patient navigation for those in need. We will partner and build on the work of non profit groups like Edúcate Ya, Latino Network, Cascade AIDS Project and others across the state to lay the organizational foundation to carry on this work for many years.
Familias is currently looking to build our HIV/STI and sexual health team. Check out our open positions page and consider joining us on this critical health issue.
