Wyoming Department Of Health Promoting World AIDS Day, December 1

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 29 Nov 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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The Wyoming Department of Health's HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis Program is working together with Laramie County Community College, the Wyoming Health Council, the University of Wyoming, family planning clinics, local public health offices and community-based organizations to promote World AIDS Day activities on December 1.

"This year marks the 20th anniversary for World AIDS Day," said Robert Johnston, HIV prevention program manager with the Wyoming Department of Health. "The day is meant to both raise awareness and support for those living with HIV/AIDS, and to prevent further spread of this devastating illness."

HIV/AIDS attacks the body's immune system, leaving those infected at great risk for opportunistic infection and other ailments. "People need to remember that HIV is very preventable," Johnston said. In Wyoming, the virus is most commonly spread by sexual contact or by sharing needles with someone who is infected.

The number of HIV/AIDS cases reported to the Wyoming Department of Health to date for 2008 is 22, said Cheryl Corbin, Wyoming HIV's Surveillance Program manager.

"We encourage everyone to know their HIV status," Corbin said. Free HIV rapid testing will be available at several locations December 1-3. For more information about testing and other World AIDS Day activities please visit http://health.wyo.gov/phsd/std/stdresources.html online or call 307-777-5932 or 1-800-438-1282.

The department also offers an educational campaign to promote awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS in Wyoming. This effort is centered around a website designed to provide reliable information on STD's, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and unintended pregnancies. The site provides current statistical information and scenarios related to STD's/HIV/AIDS/hepatitis and unintended pregnancy to educate those newly diagnosed and those interested in learning more. Short question and answer factual ads are also being shown on movie theaters across Wyoming to encourage interest in the website. For more information about HIV/AIDS, STD's, hepatitis and unintended pregnancy, visit http://www.getthei.com.

Wyoming Department of Health