Everyday, advocates and communities around the world are working to ensure that governments and policy makers are taking solid steps toward an AIDS-free generation. On World AIDS Day, which was commemorated December 1, we lift up these efforts to remind everyone that we can all act against AIDS.

Two years ago, the White House presented the first-ever National HIV/AIDS Strategy, which includes the goal of reducing HIV-related health disparities. The National Strategy seeks to achieve this through two strategies: improving access to prevention and care services for all Americans, as well as increasing the proportion of HIV-diagnosed Latinos and other vulnerable populations with undetectable viral load by 20% by 2015.

Access to HIV prevention and treatment is an important step in helping to achieve an AIDS-free generation, especially among Latino seniors and youth. Knowing the facts about HIV/AIDS, getting tested periodically, and getting involved are a few ways that we can focus on prevention.

If someone is diagnosed with HIV, adherence to treatment is key because it not only can keep the patient healthier. Proper and continuous treatment can also reduce the rate of HIV transmission. One way is to track the person’s viral load, which measures how much of the virus is contained in one drop of blood. If more Latinos are under continuous and appropriate treatment, there is a higher chance of being able to keep the virus at undetectable levels decreasing harm to the person’s body and systems and reducing the rates of transmission

As a partner of the Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative, NHCOA helps to ensure that Hispanic older adults, their families, and caregivers have access to the information they need to help reduce or eliminate new HIV infections in the community. You can join our efforts by getting more information at www.actagainstaids.org.