Health District commemorates World AIDS Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 30, 2016

LAS VEGAS – The 39th World AIDS Day is Thursday, Dec. 1. The Southern Nevada Health District, the Southern Nevada HIV Consortium, and community partners encourage everyone to learn his or her HIV status. HIV testing will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Center, 401 S. Maryland Parkway. In addition, the following events are scheduled to commemorate World AIDS Day:

Clark County and AID for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) will hold their annual red lighting of the Welcome to Las Vegas sign at 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 1.
A Remembrance and Celebration begins at The Center at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1 and includes guest speakers followed by a candlelight vigil walk that concludes at the PublicUs restaurant on Fremont Street.
The Las Vegas Urban League is hosting a Red Velvet Event from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1. Tickets are $25. For information, call (702) 636-3949 ext. 301.
The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt will be displayed at The Center, Dec. 5-22.

World AIDS Day testing continues on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at The Center, and 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), 3201 S. Maryland Parkway, Ste. 218. For information about AHF, call (702) 862-8075.

World AIDS Day was adopted in 1988 by representatives of 140 countries at the World Summit of Ministers of Health on AIDS. The day serves as an opportunity for governments, non-governmental and local organizations, AIDS programs, and individuals to increase awareness and demonstrate solidarity in the fight against AIDS.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one million people in the United States are living with HIV, and one in eight are unaware of their infection. In 2014, an estimated 44,073 people were diagnosed with HIV infection. The number of new HIV diagnoses fell 19 percent from 2005 to 2014. Because testing has remained stable or increased in recent years, the CDC reports this decrease in diagnoses suggests a true decline in new infections. The decrease may be due to targeted HIV prevention efforts; however, progress has been uneven and diagnoses have increased among a few groups.

The CDC recommends that voluntary HIV testing become routine for patients between the ages of 13 and 64. Testing is the only way to determine someone’s HIV status, which can prevent the spread of the infection to partners. For information regarding the types of tests available as well as information about who should be tested and why, visit the CDC’s website for testing information.

HIV/AIDS services provided by the Health District’s Sexual Health Clinic include testing, counseling, case management, outreach efforts, and community referrals. In addition to the traditional blood test, the Southern Nevada Health District offers rapid HIV testing that can provide same-day results. The test is $25 and is available at the Sexual Health Clinic 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday. The clinic is located at 280 S. Decatur Blvd. All testing is confidential. For more information about services offered at the Health District’s Sexual Health Clinic, call (702) 759-0702 or visit www.SNHD.info. For information about testing at The Center, call (702) 733-9800 or visit The Center.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.