A local Latino social service agency launched a new, culturally appropriate method of HIV testing to combat the growing number of Latino gay and bisexual men who are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

Representatives from Bienestar San Diego Center announced Tuesday the launch of the program, and discussed why Latino gay and bisexual men are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS.

Latinos represent approximately 28 percent of the population in San Diego County, according to San Diego’s regional planning agency, SANDAG. Latinos, however, represent 31 percent of all reported HIV cases in the county. Among that group, 88 percent are Latino men who have sex with men, according to the 2007 County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency HIV/AIDS Epidemiology Report.

Also, Latinos, by a margin of nearly 20 percent, are more likely than blacks and whites in San Diego County to develop AIDS within one year of their HIV diagnosis.

During Tuesday’s announcement, Bienestar representatives and San Diego community leaders stressed the need for such HIV/AIDS services that target the Latino community.

“We know that there’s a large Latino population, a growing Latino population, a population that does not necessarily or regularly have access to services, that do not have medical insurance, and that’s why its important for agencies like Bienestar to be in the community, to be providing these services and to connect individuals to care when they are HIV-positive, and to reassure them that being HIV-positive is not the end of the world,” said Fredy Ceja, public affairs director for Bienestar.

The program was unofficially launched three weeks ago. Since, the program has identified four HIV-positive clients.

“For us, it just shows that there is a need to offer HIV testing in different sites [and] in different settings,” said Oscar De La O, founder and CEO of Bienestar, which has locations in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.

The new testing method’s aim is to identify and overcome cultural barriers.

“We know that within the Latino community, there are many barriers – language, culture, stigma – that prevents people from getting tested,” De La O said. “Removing those barriers is what this program is about.”

Bienestar attempts to eliminate a harsh, clinical setting, by offering clients a testing space that is decorated with bright colors, and is designed to feel like home.

“If you look around the [Bienestar, San Diego] center today you will see vivid colors, you see a very welcoming environment, and that’s what we try to provide at Bienestar, so that when you step into our center, you feel like you are at home,” said Ceja.

The primary goal of the new HIV testing program is to get more Latinos to take HIV tests.

“The message today is to get tested,” said Todd Gloria, who spoke Tuesday on behalf of Rep. Susan Davis. “You know if you don’t know your status, if you’re unsure of your status, or if you’ve never been tested, we need to give you a means to do that, and Bienestar is doing that. They’re providing you with an opportunity with la familia to come in and have an opportunity to know your status.

“When you allow [HIV/AIDS] to go on further, your quality of life is eroded, the opportunity to infect others is greater, and so we need to get you there to the point where you feel comfortable testing.”

Sixteen year old Edgar Yanez, who utilizes Bienestar San Diego Center to access safe-sex information, said everyone should be tested.

“Many people think they don’t have HIV but there is a way to make sure,” Yanez said. “Come over here and do the test. I want to invite everybody to come over … It’s free, it’s easy and it’s fast.”

The program is launched by a small grant from Gilead Sciences, a pharmaceutical company.

“We’re very aware that Hispanics are disproportionately impacted by AIDS and that the rate for infection continues to increase over the years,” said Terry Cunningham, a representative from Health and Human Services. “Unfortunately the funding levels to all services to all people in San Diego County continues to decrease. So, therefore, it’s even more important for organizations like Bienestar to look outside the county for funding.”

Bienestar San Diego Center offers HIV testing most weekday afternoons and evenings and on Saturday mornings until noon. For more information, contact Bienestar San Diego Center at 619-295-2192.