NEW YORK - In recognition of "National Latino AIDS Awareness Day", the crew on Mega 97.9 FM/WSKQ's "El Vacilon de la Mañana" received HIV tests on the air today including host Luis Jimenez, his co-host Moonshadow and otherthe members of the morning show.
During the show, each member of the crew received their individual counseling and then received their blood test. The results were announced on the air at the end of the show with each member testing negative.
HIV infection has been a fact of life in most Latino communities throughout the United States for over 20 years. Surveys of Latinos consistently find that AIDS is seen as the number one health issue in this country.
"We have a position in the community where people look at us as role models and we should take advantage of that to encourage people to test themselves for HIV," said Luis Jimenez. Although some members of the crew were initially apprehensive about taking the tests on the air, Luis' words convinced them that the opportunity to educate the public about AIDS first hand took precedence over their personal fears.
WSKQ jumped from 10th to second place overall in the New York CitySummer, 2003 Arbitron, averaging 4.5% of the audience compared to 3.5% in the spring. The "El Vacilón de la Mañana" was also second overall, averaging 6.5% of the audience, and for the first time it beat Howard Stern among 18- to 34-year-olds, 11.7% to 11.2%.
WSKQ-FM is owned by Spanish Broadcasting, the largest Hispanic radio broadcasting company in the United States.
- Compiled from a Mega 97.9 Press Release
