December 1st is World HIV Day - Free HIV Tests Available Friday and Saturday

World HIV Day is celebrated December 1st around the world as a day that we educate and try to change peoples' thoughts about the disease.  In addition to that education and outreach, the day is also important as it gives hundreds of people locally the opportunity to get tested and know their status for free.

A harrowing stat is that Fulton County comprises 10 percent of Georgia’s population, but accounts for 54 percent of the state’s AIDS cases.  The percent of African Americans and African American women affected is also at an alarmingly high rate. Know Your Status!

Planned events include:

Friday, November 30 - 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., at the Auburn Avenue Research Library, 404, 101 Auburn Ave, Atlanta, GA 30303
A World AIDS Day Town Hall Meeting will bring together HIV/AIDS service organizations, healthcare agencies and community members to discuss the state of HIV in Atlanta. Participants will have the opportunity to ask panelists questions about how the counties plan to “Get to Zero”.

Saturday, December 1 – 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., free HIV testing will be available at the Greenbriar Mall, 2841 Greenbriar Pkwy., Atlanta, GA 30331

The 2012 World AIDS Campaign focuses on “Zero AIDS Related Deaths” signifying a push towards greater access to treatment for all. Despite increases in the total number of people living with HIV in the United States in recent years, the annual number of new HIV infections has remained relatively stable. However, new infections continue at a far too high level, with an estimated 56,300 Americans becoming infected with HIV each year. Take Control, Get Tested!

For more information about the Fulton County World AIDS Day events, call
(404) 613-1468 or log onto www.fultoncountygahealth.org.