Testing For Hiv | December 1 Is World Aids Day
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Back to Local News Updated: 8:20 AM Nov 25, 2009
December 1 Is World AIDS Day More than 1 million Americans are estimated to be living with HIV. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) will join with partners throughout Kansas in commemorating World AIDS Day on December 1. Posted: 10:21 AM Nov 24, 2009
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TOPEKA, Kansas – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) will join with partners throughout Kansas in commemorating World AIDS Day on December 1.
The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988. World AIDS Day provides governments, national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS epidemic.
More than 1 million Americans are estimated to be living with HIV. Worldwide, an estimated 33 million people are living with HIV.
“We encourage anyone who has had a risk for exposure to HIV to get tested, get educated and get treatment this World AIDS Day,” said L. William Lyons, director of the HIV/AIDS program at KDHE. “HIV testing is available in many places such as county health departments, community-based organizations and private providers.”
Early detection is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle if diagnosed with HIV. Counseling and testing helps provide people with HIV/AIDS with the knowledge they need to protect their own health and that of their partners, and helps people who test negative get the information they need to stay uninfected.
There are an estimated 4,000 cumulative HIV and AIDS cases in Kansas. Of the cumulative AIDS cases, 19 percent are among blacks, 69.8 percent are among whites and 9 percent are among Hispanics. Of the cumulative HIV (not AIDS) cases, 26.4 percent are among African Americans, 57.4 percent are among whites, and 12.5 percent are among Hispanics. African Americans comprise 6 percent of the state’s total population; Hispanics comprise 8.6 percent. Members of racial and ethnic communities may be at increased risk due to a variety of factors not limited to but including socioeconomic factors, access to healthcare and generally greater reluctance to be tested for HIV.
It is also estimated that 50 to 70 percent of new HIV infections are transmitted by those who are unaware of their infection. Early testing and diagnosis play a key role in reducing the spread of HIV. Persons at high risk for HIV infection should be screened annually.
Initiatives planned in recognition of World AIDS Day in Kansas include:
· Regional AIDS Project, Manhattan, will provide a two-day education and testing event at the K-State Union, December 1 (rooms 208 and 212, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.). Testing events will be held in conjunction with the Sigma Beta Phi Fraternity. Regional AIDS project will also be hosting a candlelight march and memorial December 1 beginning at 5 p.m. starting at Lafene Health Center. For more information on these events please contact Cora Holt Executive Director, Regional AIDS Project, 785 -587-1999.
· Douglas County AIDS Project, Lawrence, will offer free HIV testing December 1 at the Kansas University Union 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and at Baker University December 1 and 2 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. A World AIDS day kick off will begin at the Art Center with Scenes from Rent being performed, speaker panel, community talk-back and education provided. For more information on this event please contact Stacey N. Burton, Education, Outreach and Free Testing Clinic Coordinator, DOUGLAS COUNTY AIDS PROJECT, 2518 Ridge Court – Suite #101 Lawrence, KS 66046; Phone 785-843-0040.
· Leavenworth County Health Department, Leavenworth, will offer free HIV testing at the Leavenworth County Health Department 500 Eisenhower Rd. Suite 101, during our normal STD clinic. Please contact Elizabeth Weinmann, LMSW Social Worker & HIV/AIDS Coordinator, 913-250-2008, for more details on this event.
· Fort Hays State University, Hays, will have the AIDS quilt for remembrance of those who died, those who live with AIDS and those who assist in the daily fight globally against AIDS for World AIDS Day. Free HIV tests will also be offered December 1 and 2 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Student Health center located at 600 Park Street Hays, KS 67601. Please contact Dona J. Koenigsman, RN, BSN, Student Health Center Director at 785-628-4293 for more information.
· Salina/Saline County Health Department, Salina, will offer free HIV Testing at Salina/Saline County Health Department, Salina, Kansas 125 West Elm on December 2 until 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. No appointment necessary. Please contact the Salina/Saline County Health Department at 785-826-6602 for more information.
· Reno County Health Department, Hutchinson, will host a poetry slam at a local coffee shop on World AIDS Day, December 1 from 7–10 p.m. invitin
