Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Los Angeles Times (LT) - THURSDAY November 28, 1996 Edition: Home Edition Section: Metro Page: 5 Pt. B Story Type: Brief Word Count: 289
Michael Krikorian; Times Staff Writer
"So many people suffering with AIDS in East Los Angeles seek consolation on the Westside," said Olivia Valdepena, executive director of Avance Human Services, the East Los Angeles organization that provides a bilingual AIDS hotline, as well as a rape and domestic violence hotline.
Valdepena says there are two reasons Eastside residents with AIDS defer to the Westside. One is that the state-funded Avance Humans Services is not yet a household word.
The other reason is far more perplexing to the workers at Avance. AIDS, most often contracted through homosexual activity, remains a taboo to many Mexican American households, according to Valdepena.
"Many people are just ashamed to admit they got AIDS though homosexual activity," she said.
As of the end of October, the Eastside hotline had received 918 calls this year. In comparison, the AIDS Project L.A. Hotline in Hollywood had received more than 40,000 calls, officials said.
Avance has been working with other AIDS prevention and education agencies to encourage HIV testing. "One of our goals is to make sure people know their HIV status," said Valdepena. "Many undocumented immigrants don't get tested simply because they figure even if they have the disease, they have no medical benefits to do anything about it,"
Education is another goal. Valdepena cites the case of one HIV-positive man who was sleeping in his car because he thought he could infect his wife and children by being close to them. His wife called the bilingual AIDS hotline after he had spent two weeks sleeping in the car.
CAPTION: Photo: Agency director Olivia Valdepena says many people with AIDS on the Eastside seek help elsewhere because they do not know services are available nearer their homes. LAWRENCE K. HO / Los Angeles Times
Copyright © 1996 - Los Angeles Times. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Los Angeles Times, Permissions, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053. http://www.latimes.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1996. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 1996. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .