Health District, community partners commemorate
20th World AIDS Day, Dec. 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 25, 2008
LAS VEGAS –The 20th World AIDS Day is Monday, Dec. 1 and the Southern Nevada Health District and its community partners will observe the occasion with events throughout the week, including educational events and conferences, a display of a portion of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, and HIV testing. For more information, contact the Southern Nevada Health District Office of HIV/AIDS, (702) 759-0702.
As of October 31, more than 8,000 Southern Nevadans have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS with more than 2,400 deaths from the illness since 1992. Currently, more than 6,000 residents are living with HIV/AIDS. A recent study by UNAIDS, a joint United Nations program on HIV/AIDS, noted that approximately 33 million people worldwide are living with HIV.
In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that voluntary HIV testing become routine for patients between the ages of 13 and 64 to increase early diagnosis for the more than 250,000 Americans who are unaware that they are HIV positive.
According to a recent story by the Associated Press, HIV testing has slightly increased but it is still not as routine as testing for other health concerns such as blood cholesterol levels. Two years after the CDC’s recommendations, one in five people infected with the AIDS virus are unaware of their infection.
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.
“There is still no cure or vaccine for AIDS and the illness continues to be an international public health problem with millions of people dying from it annually. Education and prevention continue to be the best defense against infection,” said Dr. Lawrence Sands, Southern Nevada Health District chief health officer. “We encourage people to get tested, know their status, get treatment and take precautions to prevent further spread of HIV.”
In addition to the traditional blood test, the Southern Nevada Health District offers the OraSure HIV-1 oral fluid test that does not use needles. In addition, two types of rapid HIV testing that provide same-day results are available. Both rapid tests are $25 and are administered Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and Thursday morning from 8 a.m. until noon; neither rapid test is available on Friday. All HIV testing at the health district is confidential and is available inside the main location at 625 Shadow Lane. There is a separate entrance to ensure clients’ privacy.
In addition to testing, the Southern Nevada Health District’s HIV/AIDS program includes counseling, case management, outreach efforts and community referrals. For information, visit the health district’s website, www.SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict.org or call (702) 759-0702.
Confidential HIV testing will take place at the following locations on
Monday, December 1:
| Southern Nevada Health District 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. 625 Shadow Lane, Annex A |
Victory Baptist Church 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. 1312 “F” Street, North Las Vegas |
| UNLV / Southern Nevada Health District 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. UNLV Student Health Center |
Gay and Lesbian Community Center 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. 953 East Sahara Ave., B-31, inside Commercial Center |
| Monday, December 1, 2008 | |
| UNLV World AIDS Quilt Display 8 am. – 8 p.m., Moyer Student Union Overlook Lounge |
UNLV Opening Ceremony and Agency Fair Opening by Dr. Mary Guinan, Dean UNLV School of Public Health 11 a.m., UNLV Pida Plaza |
| World AIDS Day Youth Field Day 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., Doc Pearson Center 1625 West Carey Blvd. |
UMC Wellness Center Open House 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., UMC Wellness Center 701 Shadow Lane, Suite 200 |
|
AFAN / Golden Rainbow Present |
UNLV Fashion with Passion Show Benefits Sin Sity Sisters of Las Vegas 8 p.m., UNLV Moyer Student Union Ballroom |
| Tuesday, December 2, 2008 | |
| UNLV World AIDS Quilt Display 8 am. – 8 p.m., Moyer Student Union Overlook Lounge |
UNLV Sidewalk Chalk Art 11 a.m., UNLV Alumni Walk |
| Wednesday, December 3, 2008 | |
| UNLV World AIDS Quilt Display 8 am. – 8 p.m., Moyer Student Union Overlook Lounge |
AIDS Awareness Conference (HIV Testing Offered) 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Nevada Partners 710 W. Lake Mead Blvd. |
| UNLV Multicultural Perspectives in AIDS Brown Bag Series 11 a.m., UNLV Moyer Student Union Room 219 |
UNLV Film / Discussion: A Closer Walk (a Global Look at AIDS/HIV) 6:30 p.m., Moyer Student Union Theater |
| Thursday, December 4, 2008 | |
| UNLV World AIDS Quilt Display 8 am. – 8 p.m., Moyer Student Union Overlook Lounge |
|
| Saturday, December 6, 2008 | |
| Family Health Rally 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., John Edmond’s Town Center 1021 W. Owens |
|
Visit the Media Contacts webpage for media related inquiries.
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.