Article of potential interest: Preventing HIV/AIDS in Recent Latino Immigrants with NCMHD Recovery Act Funding

[Guest guest]

FYI….In particular, see section highlighted in red below.

Thanks,

Tom

FIU research- De La and : Preventing HIV/AIDS in Recent Latino Immigrants with NCMHD Recovery Act Funding

 

http://recovery.nih.gov/stories/delarosa_sanchez.php

February 26, 2010

America … remains riddled with the serious problem of disparities in health outcomes,…For Latinos, HIV/AIDS is a striking and alarming example of such disparities, say Dr. De La and Dr. Jesús , who are tackling the problem in Miami-Dade County, Fla…Cultural barriers often block effective prevention messages from reaching people at risk… the rate of new HIV infections among Hispanics/Latinos is more than double that of whites. De La and , who lead a team of researchers at Florida International University's National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, focus on HIV risk behavior and substance abuse — two intertwined problems — in recent Latino immigrants. Among such immigrants, one group that is often overlooked, says Dr. , is farm workers, who come to America with limited education and resources and a culture vastly different from our own. In their homelands of Central and South America, he adds, people don't talk openly about their sex lives, and the stigma of a disease that is often tied to sexual behavior or intravenous drug use is a huge problem…As a result, many of these people don't know about effective preventive measures like using a condom or about the importance of HIV testing and safe sex. Drug use and visits to prostitutes by Latino men who come to this country alone often bring HIV back to spouses in their home countries, and the cycle continues.

Community-based participatory research is a vital avenue for addressing health disparities, explains Dr. De La , but it's difficult. Success means bringing researchers and community members together, both for work and for play. Dr. says he enjoys attending community members' holiday events and offering support and guidance. These efforts have a direct impact on moving forward with the researchers' goal of improving Latino health. " Community members don't believe in findings they don't participate in, " says Dr. , adding that they need to know that their worries and fears are heard. " Bronchitis, asthma and cancer are the number-one concerns for farm workers exposed daily to agricultural pesticides. HIV/AIDS isn't necessarily on their radar screen. " ..New Recovery Act funding.. provides a chance to substantially extend the Center's reach by training community members in HIV testing and awareness of preventive measures. Lay health advisers will learn how to conduct surveys, to collect and report data, and to communicate important health information to friends and family in their local area.

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