Health District and partners to observe World AIDS Day

Public invited to various events on December 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 29, 2022

LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) will participate in the commemoration of World AIDS Day on Thursday, December 1. Scheduled events are aimed at raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, while also remembering those who have died of the disease. This year’s theme is Putting Ourselves to the Test: Achieving Equity to End HIV, aimed at encouraging people to unite globally with the goal of eliminating disparities and inequities that create barriers to HIV testing.

In the past 40 years, more than 32 million people around the world, including 700,000 in the United States, have died from AIDS-related illnesses. In Clark County, more than 11,000 people are living with HIV and 441 were newly diagnosed in 2021. People who are at risk of HIV but do not have it can take a daily pill called PrEP, which is highly effective at preventing HIV. SNHD has prescribed PrEP to more than 1,411 patients.

According to HIV.gov, two oral medications are approved for daily use as PrEP:

Truvada® is for all people at risk for HIV through sex or injection drug use. Generic products are also available.
Descovy® is for sexually active men and transgender women at risk of getting HIV. It has not yet been studied for HIV prevention for receptive vaginal sex.

Apretude®, a long-acting injectable form of PrEP, is administered by a health care provider every two months instead of daily oral pills.

In Southern Nevada, SNHD is focused on four areas to:

- Diagnose all people with HIV as early as possible.
- Treat people with HIV rapidly and effectively to reach sustained viral suppression.
- Prevent new HIV transmissions by using proven interventions, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and syringe services programs (SSPs).
- Respond quickly to potential HIV outbreaks to get prevention and treatment services to people who need them.

District Health Officer Dr. Fermin Leguen said, “While great strides have been made since AIDS was first identified in the U.S. in 1981, it remains a significant public health challenge. By raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, we can help people understand their risk of contracting the virus, the ways of preventing its spread, and how to seek treatment if they test positive.” Dr. Leguen added that wearing a red ribbon is an excellent way of showing one’s support on World AIDS Day.

World AIDS Day Events: Dec. 1, 2022

SNHD’s Office of Disease Surveillance and Stigma Reduction Team will collaborate with The Center and the local community to help end the stigma associated with people living with HIV. The Center, located at 401 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, will host a Community Health Vendor Fair from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. There will be speakers from 1:30 – 3 p.m. including District Health Official Dr. Fermin Leguen, Dr. Lealah Pollock of the University of California San Francisco and Well Project Program Manager Ciarra Covin. Also speaking will be community member Maria Montes, who will discuss her passion and purpose in her HIV advocacy efforts.

SNHD and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will offer Rapid HIV testing at Boulevard Mall, 352 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Testing will be offered in the SNHD L2A Mobile Testing Unit, parked near the main entrance of the mall.

Additional activities:

SNHD offers rapid HIV testing options including HOME HIV test kits. The program, Collect2Protect, allows users to conveniently and privately order an at-home HIV test kit for free and get their results at home. Test kits for chlamydia and gonorrhea are also available for a fee.
Express Testing will also be available at SNHD’s main public health center, 280 S. Decatur, Las Vegas, for those who are asymptomatic and would like to get tested and know their HIV status. Express Testing is offered daily from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Editor’s Note: World AIDS Day onsite media contacts are as follows:
Mona Lisa Paulo, The Center, mpaulo@thecenterlv.org, 702.733.9800
Willie Smith, Ph.D., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, smithwb941@cox.net, 702.241.9191

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.