Health District, community partners commemorate

22nd World AIDS Day, Dec. 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 30, 2010

LAS VEGAS – The 22nd World AIDS Day is Wednesday, Dec. 1 and the Southern Nevada Health District and its community partners will observe the occasion with free testing at several locations. For more information, contact the Southern Nevada Health District Office of HIV/AIDS, (702) 759-0702 or visit www.SNHD.INFO.

This year’s theme for World AIDS Day is Universal Access and Human Rights as global leaders pledge to work towards universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care.

In Clark County, more than 9,000 Southern Nevadans have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS with more than 3,000 deaths from the illness since 1992. More than 3,617 Southern Nevadans are living with HIV and there are more than 4,400 AIDS cases locally. A study by UNAIDS, a joint United Nations program on HIV/AIDS, noted that approximately 33 million people worldwide are living with HIV.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every 9 ½ minutes another person in the Unites States is infected with HIV which translates into 56,300 new infections annually. Four years ago, the CDC recommended that voluntary HIV testing become routine for patients between the ages of 13 and 64. The agency estimates that more than one million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS, a fifth of whom are unaware of their infection.

HIV/AIDS still impacts gay and bisexual men, however, infection rates among African-Americans and Hispanics continue to rise nationwide. African-Americans constitute nearly half of new HIV infections and people living with HIV; black women are 15 times more likely than white women to become infected with HIV. Hispanics make up 17 percent of newly infected individuals and they are 18 percent of people living with HIV.

World AIDS Day was adopted in 1988 by representatives of 140 countries at the World Summit of Ministers of Health on AIDS. The day serves as an opportunity for governments, non-governmental and local organizations, AIDS programs and individuals to increase awareness and demonstrate solidarity in the fight against AIDS.

In addition to the traditional blood test, the Southern Nevada Health District offers the OraSure HIV-1 oral fluid test that does not use needles. In addition, two types of rapid HIV testing that provide same-day results are available. Both rapid tests are $25 and are administered Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. and noon. All HIV testing at the health district is confidential and is available inside the main location at 625 Shadow Lane. There is a separate entrance to ensure clients’ privacy.

In addition to testing, the Southern Nevada Health District’s HIV/AIDS program includes counseling, case management, outreach efforts and community referrals.

The Southern Nevada Health District will be offering free testing at the following locations in observance of World AIDS Day, Wednesday, Dec. 1.

Southern Nevada Health District
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
625 Shadow Lane, Annex A, Las Vegas
(702) 759-0702

Richard Steele Boxing Club
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
2475 W. Cheyenne Ave., Ste. 120, North Las Vegas
(702) 759-0707

Nevada Partners
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
710 W. Lake Mead Blvd., North Las Vegas
(702) 924-2100

UNLV Student Health Services will conduct HIV testing at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. For hours and information, contact (702) 895-3370. Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at UNLV’s Pida Plaza, the Campus Community Education/Awareness Program, UNLV Spectrum and UNLV Students Organizing Diversity Activities will offer educational information regarding HIV testing and awareness.

Confidential HIV testing is available at the following locations on a regular basis:

Southern Nevada Health District
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
625 Shadow Lane, Annex A
(702) 759-0702

Gay & Lesbian Community Center
Monday and Thursday
1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
953 E. Sahara Ave., Ste. B-25
(702) 733-9800

Richard Steele Boxing Facility
Tuesday and Wednesday
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
2475 W. Cheyenne Ave., Ste. 120, North Las Vegas
(702) 759-0707

Updated information about the Southern Nevada Health District can be found on Facebook www.facebook.com/SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict, on YouTube www.youtube.com/SNHealthDistrict or Twitter www.twitter.com/SNHDinfo.

Visit the Media Contacts webpage for media related inquiries.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.