Impacto! Launches As National Spanish Language HIV Publication.

AIDS Project Los Angeles’ brand new national Spanish-language publication, Impacto!, is designed to bring critical treatment and health information to Spanish-speaking people living with HIV and AIDS. Impacto! features nationally recognized Latino/a writers as well as utilizing the existing talents and expertise of APLA staff. The bulk of the publication, 80%, will be written in Spanish rather than translated from an English publication, ensuring cultural and linguistic continuity.

“With the growing Latino/a population in the United States and increased infection rates in this community, the need for this information has never been as great,” stated Omar Banos, Impacto! Editor. “This publication fills a significant gap in the provision of vital treatment and prevention education to this fast growing population.”

For the first time, Latinos/as accounted for 36% of all AIDS cases in Los Angeles County and 18% nationwide. Impacto! is designed to promote increased understanding of the importance of HIV treatment, adherence, nutrition and prevention among Spanish-speaking adults affected by HIV. The publication will be distributed free of charge to infected and affected Latinos/as and organizations that serve them.

AIDS Project Los Angeles, a non-profit community-based organization, provides direct services each year to more than 10,000 men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS in Los Angeles County. Services include a food bank, professional dental care, housing assistance, child care, transportation, mental health counseling, case management, home health care and Adult and Child Buddy support. APLA also provides extensive treatment and prevention education and advocacy on local, state and federal AIDS-related legislation.