The National Latinx (NaLa) Conference 2026, held April 21 through 23 in Dallas, promoted innovative concepts, best practices and new information on how health care and social service providers can better serve Latino communities. Specifically, NaLa’s workshops and breakout sessions covered a wide range of topics related to HIV, hepatitis C (HCV) and substance use disorder.
NaLa kicked off the conference with an Instagram post:
“#NaLa2026 kicks off today, and we are ready to connect with a community of leaders and advocates who share our passion for breaking down systemic barriers to HIV prevention and care.
These highlights from last year have us looking forward to the next few days. Thank you @latinosandhiv for bringing us together!”
Latinos are disproportionately affected by HIV. In 2022, Latinos made up 19% of the U.S. population but accounted for 32% of all new HIV diagnoses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To learn more about HIV among Latinos, read POZ’s “HIV and Latinos.”
“The HIV epidemic is still a public health crisis, particularly in the Hispanic/Latine community, which has seen the greatest increase in new cases of HIV over the past five years,” said Karla Torres, medical science liaison at ViiV Healthcare, a pharmaceutical company focused on HIV, that along with pharma giant Gilead Sciences supported the conference. “That’s why it’s more important than ever to educate and fight against the stigma that hinders HIV testing, prevention and treatment.”
Several HIV advocates familiar to POZ readers—including Barb Cardell of the Positive Women’s Network–USA and Elias Diaz of Eagle Pass Safe—led workshops and spoke throughout the event.
Latinos also experience health disparities when it comes to hepatitis C. In 2023, new cases of chronic hepatitis C were 68% lower among Latinos compared with the overall U.S. population, but they were 4% more likely to die of hep C, according to the U.S. Office of Minority Health. As HepVu.org points out, Latinos face multiple barriers to prevention and treatment, and Latino children are less likely to be tested for hep C. In 2022, Latinos were 29% more likely to die of viral hepatitis than the general population .
During a general session titled “De Eso Si Se Habla: Stigma, Salud y Sazon,” which was sponsored by Gilead, attendees learned from advocates, mentors and innovators about the importance of having conversations about HIV prevention and care beyond the exam room and in community, where families can be catalysts for change.
At another general session, six HIV leaders and advocates highlighted the role of community leadership, long-acting therapies and HIV innovations advancing prevention and treatment.
From the ViiV Healthcare Instagram:
“Today’s opening plenary at NaLa 2026 was a beautiful celebration of Latinx stories of strength, empowerment and innovation and brought to life what it really means to live “Sin Límites”. With Latinx communities being disproportionately impacted by HIV, we’re committed to showing up in these spaces and starting conversations that will ultimately help us end the HIV epidemic, together. #FamiliaNaLa@latinosandhiv”
“At ViiV Healthcare, we’re working to end the HIV epidemic by advancing medical innovation through the development of long-acting HIV treatment and prevention injectables and through community engagement by directly supporting organizations that are working to address HIV within the Hispanic/Latine community,” said Torres. “We believe that it will take all of us working together to end the HIV epidemic for all.”
The San Antonio AIDS Foundation wrote about one of the speakers from the session in an Instagram post.
“As NaLa 2026 (@latinosandhiv ) comes to an end, we congratulate Alan Mauricio, Director of Prevention Services, for being a speaker at Gilead Sciences (@gileadsciences /@gileadhivus ) NaLa Plenary 2026: De Eso Si Se Habla: Stigma, Salud y Sazon.
He shared his experience of more than a decade working in the HIV field and the strategies he applies with his team day to day.
#NaLa2026”
Gilead also amplified its “Choose U” campaign at NaLa 2026, which seeks to empower individuals living with HIV.
“Meet Jahlove, a @gileadhivus Choose U Ambassador who proves that life continues after an HIV diagnosis.
The experiences of people like Jahlove who are living with HIV are at the top of everyone’s minds during this year’s #NaLa Conference. By bringing together the voices of Jahlove and so many others who care deeply about improving health outcomes, we can work together to help HIV care better serve Latino communities.
Discover more ambassador stories and Gilead’s commitment to community by visiting ChooseUHIV.com”
NaLa’s interactive workshops and breakout sessions helped kick-start advocate-led discussions on evidence-based interventions for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake, prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV stigma, ending the HIV epidemic and more. Day 1 of the conference concluded with poster presentations that shared researchers’ latest efforts in alleviating the burden of HIV, HCV and substance use disorder on Latinos.
Numerous health organizations attended NaLa. AIDS United posted about its attendance on Instagram:
“We’re heading to Dallas!
AIDS United is excited to participate in the NALA Conference in Dallas, Texas! Join us for a critical conversation about protecting immigrant communities’ access to HIV care and prevention services.
Workshop: Wednesday, April 22nd | 2:30-3:45pm CT | Dallas F Session: “Un Pueblo Resiliente: Addressing Immigrant HIV Care Access Challenges Amid Policy Shifts”
Plus, visit us at our table in the Exhibitor Hall to learn more about our programs and services!
See you there!
The NaLa Conference #NALAConference #HIVAdvocacy #ImmigrantHealth #EndingTheEpidemic#FamiliaNaLa”
Free, confidential STI testing and safer sex supplies were available to attendees throughout the conference. Additionally, trained professionals were on hand to answer conferencegoers’ questions about STIs. The Testing Room was sponsored by nonprofits Casa Orgullo, a community health and wellness center located in Rio Grande Valley, and Valley AIDS Council, HIV prevention, education and testing services provider in the Rio Grande Valley.
“As NaLa 2026 comes to an end, we’ve enjoyed all the connections and reconnections we’ve made with our Latinx familia over the last few days. We’re excited to continue doing our work “Sin Límites,” and encourage you to take this energy back to your communities. #FamiliaNaLa @latinosandhiv”
