Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day -- 1.4.2016
PressRelease
February 4, 2016
Contacts: Jose Rodriguez, Columbus Public Health, 614-604-5025,
[email protected] Web – Facebook – Twitter
Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Encourages Residents to Get Educated, Tested and Treated
African Americans Affected Disproportionately in our Regionand Nationwide
Columbus is joining cities all across the country to recognize National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Feb. 7. The initiative, featuring education and free HIV testing, aims to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment among Blacks in central Ohio and across the U.S.
Blacks/African Americans in our own county continue to experience the most severe burden of HIV, compared with other races and ethnicities. Blacks represent approximately 22 percent of Franklin County’s population, but accounted for an estimated 48 percent of new HIV diagnoses in 2014. They also accounted for 41 percent ofpeople living with HIV infection in 2014. Since the epidemic began, an estimated 2,235 people with AIDS have died in Franklin County. In Ohio in 2014, 73 African Americans died from HIV, which is 41% of all HIV related deaths.
Local BlackHIV/AIDS Awareness Day testing events include:
Feb. 4 –GCMC, 1780 E. Broad St., Columbus
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Feb. 6 – ARC Ohio Medical Center, 1033 N. High St., Columbus
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Feb. 8 – Neighborhood House, 1000 Atcheson St., Columbus
11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Free HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis testing
Free box lunch and gift cards
Feb. 9 – GCMC, 1780 E. Broad St., Columbus
5-9 p.m.
Healthcare enrollment
Free STI, HIV and syphilis testing
Food, games, and music
Feb. 11 – OSU Multicultural Center, 1800 Cannon Dr. - #1000, Columbus
3-7 p.m.
Free HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis testing
Free lunch
Speaker and testimony
“We are working on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – and all year round – to increase HIV testing so more people know their status and get PrEP-ed if they are HIV negative to protect their health and the health of the community,” says Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long.
In addition to Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day testing events, HIV testing also is offered year round at the following locations:
Take Care Down There Clinic - Columbus Public Health614-645-6732, 240 Parsons Ave., Columbus
Columbus Public Health - Sexual Health Clinic 614-645-7772, 240 Parsons Ave., Columbus
ARC Ohio HIV Testing in Columbus & Central Ohio
Columbus Urban League
614-257-6300 x150, 788 Mount Vernon Ave., Columbus
For more information, visit Columbus Public Health at
columbus.gov/publichealth or on
Facebook –
Twitter.
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