National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Feb. 7
Health district encourages testing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 3, 2012
LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District encourages everyone to learn their HIV status. Tuesday, Feb. 7 is 12th National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. In Clark County, approximately 25 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS are African-American. Testing is always available at the health district and no appointment is necessary. For additional information and testing information, contact the health district’s office of HIV/AIDS, (702) 759-0702 or visit www.SNHD.info.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in 16 black men will be diagnosed with HIV at some point in his lifetime as will one in 32 black women. In 2009, African-Americans accounted for 44 percent of new HIV infections; the rate of HIV infections for black women was nearly 15 times as high as the rate for white women and four times that of Hispanic women. African-Americans are the racial /ethnic group most impacted by HIV/AIDS in the United States. Young black men who are gay or bisexual are at the highest risk of infection.
The goal of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is to focus efforts on testing, which is vital to begin treatment, to connect people to care services and to limit the spread. It is also an opportunity to provide educational information to the African-American community about risks associated with HIV infection and prevention methods. Early diagnosis is critical for people who are HIV positive so they can benefit from treatment. It is estimated that nearly 40 percent of people with HIV are not diagnosed until they have developed AIDS, which can occur 10 years after infection.
Additional recommendations from the CDC include annual testing for individuals who engage in high-risk sexual behavior or use intravenous drugs. Pregnant women should be tested during the early months of their pregnancy to help eliminate transmission of HIV to their infants.
The Southern Nevada Health District’s Office of HIV/AIDS/STDs is located inside Annex A at the health district’s main public health center, 625 Shadow Lane. Services include confidential testing, counseling, case management and referrals. The health district offers several HIV test options, some with same-day results. In addition, testing is available at several locations throughout the community.
The health district and its partners will offer confidential testing at the following locations:
Tuesday, Feb. 7
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
FREE Rapid tests 8 a.m. – noon ONLY
Southern Nevada Health District
625 Shadow Lane, Annex A, Las Vegas, 89106
(702) 759-0707
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Free rapid HIV screening/STD screenings
Richard Steele Boxing Club
2475 W. Cheyenne Ave., #120, NLV, 89032
(702) 638-1308
No appointment necessary
The health district encourages everyone in the community to learn their HIV status. Currently, there are more than 6,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada.
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 The health district is now available in Spanish on Twitter www.twitter.com/TuSNHD. Don’t have a Twitter account? Follow the health district on your phone by texting “follow SNHDinfo” to 40404.
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.