Genesee County Health Department
Better Life Through Better Health
Release Date: Immediate Release End Date:
February 7, 2009
Contact Person: Kathi Hasenohrl
Public Health Educator
Genesee County Health Department
Phone: (810) 341-5900
RE: 9th Annual National Black
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
The Genesee County Health Department (GCHD) is
joining local and national organizations as well as the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention on February 7, 2009 to recognize the 9th
Annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The theme for this day is
“Black Life is Worth Saving”. Health educators from the GCHD will be inside
the downtown Flint MTA Bus Station from 11 am to 4:30 pm on February 7th
to hold an informative health fair. Representatives from the GCHD
Maternal-Infant Health program and Wellness AIDS Services, Inc. will also be
on hand to promote awareness of HIV/AIDS and healthy sexuality. Please note:
No HIV testing will be offered at this event.
Also on February 7th, the GCHD, along with
the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint and YOUR Center, is sponsoring a
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day art contest for youth to exhibit
original artwork inspired by the theme “Black Life is Worth Saving”. This
event will be held from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater
Flint at 3701 N. Averill Avenue.
Awareness and recognition of HIV/AIDS in the Black
community is especially important for citizens of Genesee County this year.
The ongoing outbreak of infectious syphilis in Genesee County is affecting
African Americans more than any other racial group. Over 85% of the syphilis
cases are among African Americans. A person with syphilis infection is 3 to
5 times more likely to contract or transmit the virus that causes AIDS.
Many of the signs and symptoms of syphilis
are not easily noticed, so those who are infected may be unaware that they
are putting themselves at a greater risk of getting HIV.
In Genesee County, the rate of Black adults and
adolescents living with HIV or AIDS is 4 times the rate for Whites. Even
though Blacks account for about 20% of the population in Genesee County,
they account for over half (52%) of the people who get HIV and AIDS. In the
United States, Blacks diagnosed with AIDS often don’t live as long as people
of other races and ethnic groups with AIDS. While any person who is sexually
active is at risk of getting HIV, women and people of color are more likely
to become infected.
The 9th Annual Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
is a national community mobilization, HIV testing, and treatment initiative,
which promotes awareness of, and access to, services for African Americans.
These events are also part of the GCHD’s participation in Michigan’s 5th
Annual Black AIDS Awareness Campaign which began on February 1, 2009 (the
beginning of Black History Month) and concludes on March 13, 2009. The GCHD
will take part in numerous local events throughout the campaign to encourage
African-Americans to get educated, get tested, get treated, and get involved
with HIV/AIDS prevention because HIV continues to devastate Black
communities.
Free HIV testing is offered Monday – Friday at the
GCHD Adult/Teen Clinic located in the McCree Courts and Human Services
Building at 630 S. Saginaw St. in Flint. Clinic hours are Monday, Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday from 7:45 am – 11:00 am and 12:45 pm – 4:00 pm, and Tuesday
from 12:45 pm – 4:00 pm. Testing for syphilis and other sexually transmitted
infections is also available at the GCHD Adult/Teen Clinic.
For information about these and other upcoming events
please contact Kathi Hasenohrl at (810) 341-5900. Please visit
www.gchd.us for information about free HIV
counseling and testing offered by the GCHD.
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