June 1, 2009

The Latino HIV Task Force, a group of health agencies and community organizations, will offer free HIV tests on June 27 as part of the annual National HIV Testing Day.

The task force will provide the tests from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Spring Branch Community Health Center, 1615 Hillendahl.

Hispanics in Houston and Harris County represent 21 percent of the 16,393 HIV infections reported to the Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) since 1999. They also make up 17 percent of the 25,644 local AIDS cases reported to the department since the start of the epidemic in 1981.

HDHHS convened the task force in 2002 to help increase education and awareness of HIV, AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases among Hispanics.

The task force is comprised of numerous health agencies and community-based organizations that administer HIV and AIDS prevention programs or medical treatment and various community organizations.

For more information, call 713-987-4740 or email latinohtf@hotmail.com.