World AIDS Day is December 1

-Keep the Promise-

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) unites with partners throughout Kansas to commemorate the 18th annual World AIDS Day on December 1, 2005. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes the 2005 World AIDS Day theme is 'Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise' addresses the importance of prevention, testing, treatment, and care programs for persons at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS.

According to CDC, there are approximately 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. Approximately one fourth of these persons were believed to be unaware of their infections underscoring the need for increased efforts to reach populations at-risk with HIV testing and prevention services. Recently released statistics from the CDC reveal that the domestic epidemic continues to disproportionately affect communities of color. Between 2001, and 2004, African Americans accounted for 51% of all new HIV diagnoses in the 33 states with confidential, name-based reporting, which includes Kansas.

As of June 30, 2005, there were about 1,650 HIV/AIDS reported cases presumed to be living in Kansas. From January 1, 2005, through June 30, 2005, there were about 100 newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in Kansas.

The rate of HIV/AIDS is substantially higher among some minority populations in Kansas. The rate of HIV/AIDS cases diagnosed in 2003 in Kansas was more than 8 times higher among non-Hispanic blacks and more than 4 times higher among Hispanics than among non-Hispanic whites (34.4 and 17.9 compared to 4.0 cases per 100,000 population, respectively).

The Kansas HIV Prevention Program is working diligently to reach these populations most at risk for the disease. KDHE works with community-based organizations and local health departments across the state to conduct prevention and care activities for Kansans with HIV/AIDS. It is only through these collaborative efforts that progress toward eliminating the disease can be made.

HIV disease is a disease transmitted through behaviors. If you or a partner has ever been placed at risk for contracting HIV, get tested. If you or a partner is diagnosed with HIV, ask about services that are available and ways in which transmission can be prevented in the future. HIV testing is available at over 80 sites in Kansas. For more information, call 785-296-6174 or visit our website at http://www.kdheks.gov/hiv/counsul_testing.html.

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