Annual World AIDS Day To Be Observed Dec. 1 - Minneapolis

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 28 Nov 2008 - 3:00 PST

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

For the 21st consecutive year, the world will commemorate World AIDS Day on Monday, Dec. 1. Minnesota will join other states and more than 200 countries to call attention to the worldwide epidemic.

"World AIDS Day provides us with an opportunity to heighten the awareness that AIDS is still here and that there is still no cure or vaccine to halt its spread," said Peter Carr, director of the STD and HIV Section, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). "It is also a time to call attention to the number of people who are being affected and infected here and around the globe."

Health officials report that more than 6,800 people worldwide are infected with HIV every day, and roughly 33.2 million people are estimated to be living with HIV or AIDS around the globe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 56,300 new HIV cases occurred in 2006 and that 1.1 million Americans are currently living with HIV in the U.S.

Since 1982, 8,504 people in Minnesota have been diagnosed with HIV infection, and 2,912 of them have died. Currently, an estimated 5,950 people are reported to be living with HIV/AIDS in Minnesota, including those who moved to Minnesota after they were diagnosed in other states. MDH received a new reported HIV case every 27 hours in 2007 and averaged about 300 new annual HIV infections over the past five years.

"We continue to see higher infection rates among our communities of color when compared to whites," said Carr. "Statewide rates for African Americans and Latinos were nearly 13 and 8 times greater, respectively, than whites. Rates for African communities were over 28 times greater than for whites."

Health officials noted that higher rates among communities of color may be due to low testing rates among these communities. Without being tested, infected persons may have unknowingly infected others and may have missed years of beneficial treatments.

MDH data show that about one in three persons diagnosed in 2007 were considered "late testers" indicating that they already had AIDS or developed AIDS within a year after being tested. An AIDS diagnosis usually occurs after being infected with HIV for five to ten years. Lower testing rates may be due to cultural and language barriers, social stigmas and limited access to health resources and care.

"The main message we want to send to all communities in Minnesota is to always practice safer sex and to get tested early if you place yourself at risk so you can get the full benefits of early detection and treatment," said Carr.

To help provide education and awareness, a variety of events, trainings, exhibits and HIV testing opportunities are planned in Minnesota during December in observance of World AIDS Day. The MDH Web site offers a calendar of events with important information about HIV/AIDS. Visit the Web site at: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/hiv/worldaidsday/index.html.

World AIDS Day has been held annually since 1988 under the sponsorship of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and recently through the organization, World AIDS Campaign.

World AIDS Day activities will occur throughout December
……in Minnesota, here is a sample event listing……

Saturday, December 6, South Senior High School Auditorium, 3131 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55407

African World AIDS Day Event (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.), free and open to the general public

The African World AIDS Day Planning Committee is hosting its fifth annual event in observance of World AIDS Day. African residents representing several African nations will be enjoined in a unified World AIDS Day commemoration to raise awareness about the impact HIV and AIDS has had on Africans living here and in their respective countries. African physicians, community leaders and survivors will provide educational presentations. Performers, exhibitors and culturally specific foods will also be a part of the observance including a performance by Munnah LIB Princess. Munnah is a Liberian War Refugee who is an R&B/Hip-Hop singer songwriter. She speaks of her journey from Africa, the challenges she faces and the importance of making good decisions. The event is free and open to the general public.

For additional information about AIDS Day activities, visit the MDH web site at: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/hiv/worldaidsday/calendar.html.

Minnesota Department of Health