FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 14, 2007
World AIDS Day events planned
COLUMBIA – World AIDS Day events will be observed throughout South Carolina Dec.1, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control reported today.
“Free or low-cost rapid tests for HIV will be offered at numerous locations in DHEC’s county public health departments and community-based agencies on and around World AIDS Day,” said Lynda Kettinger, director of DHEC’s STD/HIV Division. “Many community-based groups will offer events and candlelight vigils to raise awareness of HIV issues and remember those who died from AIDS.”
The United States’ World AIDS Day theme for 2007, The Power of Partnerships, stresses the importance of everyone working together to make change happen in the fight against this epidemic.
“The Power of Partnerships supports the larger international theme, Take the Lead: Get Involved,” Kettinger said. “The theme emphasizes how individuals, communities and governments can get involved and demonstrate leadership through strong partnership efforts against HIV/AIDS.”
According to Kettinger, more than 14,000 people are estimated to be living with HIV in South Carolina. About 800 people are diagnosed each year and every county in the state has residents with HIV.
“DHEC encourages public health and private partnerships throughout South Carolina to end the stigma of HIV and promote community support for HIV testing, prevention, care and treatment,” Kettinger said. “Recently, DHEC received additional funds from the General Assembly that made it possible to eliminate a year-long wait list for highly effective HIV treatments through its AIDS Drug Assistance Program. A key partner in that effort was the S.C. HIV/AIDS Care Crisis Task Force. DHEC is also forging partnerships with hospital emergency departments to promote routine HIV testing for early diagnosis.
“Most people in the early stages of HIV infection have no symptoms. Early diagnosis can help us link people to services that will help them stay healthy longer, benefit most from treatments and services, reduce costly hospital visits and help prevent transmission to others.”
For more information about World AIDS Day events, including local HIV testing sites, call DHEC’s S.C. AIDS/STD Hotline at 1-800-322-AIDS (1-800-322-2437) or visit the DHEC Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/stdhiv.
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For more information:
Tony Price – (803) 898-0338
E-mail – priceae@dhec.sc.gov
or
Clair Boatwright – (803) 898-4461
E-mail – boatwrc@dhec.sc.gov