By Ricky Garza, Communications Department, NCLR
Do you know anyone who is HIV-positive?
It’s a hard issue to talk about, but one that our Los Angeles–based Affiliate AltaMed Health Services Corporation has committed to tackling head-on. AltaMed is the largest independent federally qualified community health center in the U.S., serving 930,000 people annually in the Southern California area through 43 locations.
In honor of World AIDS Day, AltaMed produced a short web telenovela-style series called Sin Vergüenza (Without Shame) about an East Los Angeles Mexican American family dealing with HIV/AIDS.
With a seven-minute format and compelling storylines set up from the start, the series features many characters familiar to Hispanics who are at risk of contracting HIV. A cheating spouse, a gay son in law school, and a younger daughter with a long-term boyfriend all seek to break stereotypes and dispel myths about who is and isn’t at risk of getting the disease.
According to AltaMed, Latinos account for one in five of all new HIV infections, and 1.2 million Americans are living with the virus as well. Surprisingly, 20% of HIV-positive people don’t know they are infected. For those engaging in high-risk behaviors such as needle-sharing and unprotected sex, AltaMed recommends getting tested for the virus as soon as possible.
Whether gay or straight, male or female, young or old, no one practicing risky behavior is immune to catching the disease. Using condoms during sexual activity, even if you are already HIV-positive, is essential to stopping the spread of disease and giving HIV to others.
World AIDS Day, first observed in 1988, was conceived to raise awareness about the global AIDS pandemic by the United Nation’s World Health Organization. Today it is observed in all UN member countries worldwide.
With this in mind, check out the first episode of Sin Vergüenza, which introduces the Salazar family and sets the stage for what’s to come in the multipart series. See for yourself!
NCLR Blog 
Health is very important in its totality, the more medical check-ups the best it is and the best you will feel, periodical visit to the doctors is the only way we could find out about the beginning of an illness or having good health. Seeing the series of episodes of the Salazar family in “Shameless” it has shown the necessity of communication with the doctors testing to prevent an illness to take a long course, test your self, avoid long term suffering and torturing your family when they see you in pain. Play it smart, see the Doctor.
By the way, the whole cast has played their role with great acting and so natural.
Your friend; Anie Cervantes
this telenovela is very relevant ……. i’ve only been able to watch 2 episodes ….. are there more yet?