Dr. Oni Blackstock, Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau of HIV, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; Jésica Mendoza, PrEP User; Yasbert Soberal, PrEP User; Guillermo Chacon, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS and founder of the Hispanic Health Network; Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Disease Control at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
New York City, May 17, 2018 – The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), in partnership with the Latino Commission on AIDS (LCOA), launched “¡Listos!”, a sex-positive social marketing campaign that encourages Latinos to consider using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) a daily pill that greatly reduces the risk of HIV infection, as part of their sexual health plan.Few sexually active Latinos are aware of PrEP, and fewer Latinos are taking PrEP compared to Whites non-Hispanics. “¡Listos!”, in Spanish, which translates to “Ready!” is the first awareness campaign to be conceived of and largely released in Spanish. With ‘¡Listos!’ we continue to redefine sex-positive strategies to increase PrEP utilization in all communities that can benefit regardless of primary language, immigration status, or ability to pay.
“We are honored to be part of the “¡Listos!” campaign, the first of its kind by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, developed and largely released in Spanish. We recognize the leadership of Mayor Bill de Blasio, Deputy Mayor Dr. Herminia Palacio and Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett to ensure that the campaign images and language were culturally and linguistically appropriate. The best ingredient of a sound public health is leadership and actions in order to ensure the wellbeing of all New Yorkers. “¡Listos!” campaign will empower and save lives in our communities,” stated Guillermo Chacon, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS and founder of the Hispanic Health Network.
“It’s important to dispel myths about PrEP’s safety, effectiveness and availability so that all New Yorkers, regardless of ability to pay or immigration status, knowing HIV prevention options available to them is critical.”-stated Luis Scaccabarrozzi, Vice President of the Latino Commission on AIDS. “Linguistic and culturally responsive campaigns and programming, such as this one, continue to be necessary to achieve our goal of ending the AIDS epidemic in New York by 2020.”
Jésica Mendoza, PrEP user for more than a year.
Yasbert Soberal, PrEP user for more than 3 months.