Today Is World Aids Day

Alabama Mobile According to Dr. Bert Eichold Health Officer of Mobile County Mobile has one of the highest HIV infection rates per capita in Alabama..

by Mobile County Health Dept.

Published: Mon, December 01, 2008 - 10:10 am CST Last Updated: Mon, December 01, 2008 - 10:12 am CST

Mobile County Health Department to join in World AIDS Day activities

The Mobile County Health Department will join with other members of the Mobile AIDS Coalition on Monday, Dec. 1, in observance of World AIDS Day. The local observance will be highlighted by a variety of activities in the atrium of the Mobile Government Plaza from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

With the theme of “Keep the Promise, Be Here for the Cure,” there will activities to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and to provide prevention support to members of the community. They will include free, confidential HIV testing, guest speakers, informational and educational exhibits, and an art show featuring paintings created by consumers of HIV/AIDS services. Also, individuals with HIV/AIDS or affected in some other way by the illness will be offered an opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences.

According to Dr. Bert Eichold, Health Officer of Mobile County, Mobile has one of the highest HIV infection rates per capita in Alabama.

“Education and prevention are our most effective tools for protecting against infection,” he says. “I strongly encourage everyone to take part in the local World AIDS Day activities.”

Eichold adds that it is not only important to get the facts about HIV/AIDS prevention and testing but also to share that information with family and friends.

Anyone wanting information about testing and treatment services available at the Mobile County Health Department related to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases should call its STD Clinic at 690-8153 or go to www.mobilecountyhealth.org and click on the red ribbon icon on the right side of the page.

Do you know?
 One in five people living with HIV do not know they are infected.
 Men make up 75% of the people living with HIV (828,000), and women make up 25 percent (278,400).
 Blacks represent 46% of the people living with HIV; whites make up 35%; Hispanics/Latinos comprise 18%; Asians/Pacific Islanders account for 1%; and the American Indian/Alaskan Native demographic makes up less than 1%.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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World AIDS Day

 Since official reporting began in 1982, Mobile County has recorded the 2nd highest number of HIV/AIDS cases of the 67 counties in Alabama and currently has the 6th highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the state. Source: Alabama Department of Public Health

 With approximately 8.8% of Alabama’s population, Mobile County has accounted for 16.1% of the state’s HIV/AIDS cases.
Source: Alabama Department of Public Health

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