December 1 is World AIDS Day

People at Risk of HIV Exposure Urged to Get Tested

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s HIV/AIDS Program has committed to testing at least 1,000 Kansans in observance of the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day on December 1.  The commitment was made to the World AIDS Day Project AIDS Healthcare Foundation, whose goal is to test 1 million people for HIV from November 26 until December 1.

“We encourage anyone who has had a risk for exposure to HIV to get tested, get educated and get treatment this World AIDS Day,” said L. William Lyons, director of the HIV/AIDS program at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). “HIV testing is widely available at county health departments, community-based organizations and private providers.”

Early detection is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle if diagnosed with HIV.  Counseling and testing helps provide people with HIV/AIDS with the knowledge they need to protect their own health and that of their partners, and helps people who test negative get the information they need to stay uninfected. 

There is an estimated 4,000 cumulative HIV and AIDS cases in Kansas.  Of the cumulative AIDS cases, 19 percent are among blacks, 69.8 percent are among whites and 9 percent are among Hispanics. Of the cumulative HIV (not AIDS) cases, 26.4 percent are among African Americans, 57.4 percent are among whites, and 12.5 percent are among Hispanics.  African Americans comprise 6 percent of the state’s total population; Hispanics comprise 8.6 percent. Members of racial and ethnic communities may be at increased risk due to a variety of factors not limited to but including socioeconomic factors, access to healthcare and generally greater reluctance to be tested for HIV.

It is also estimated that 50 to 70 percent of new HIV infections are transmitted by those who are unaware of their infection.  Early testing and diagnosis play a key role in reducing the spread of HIV. Persons at high risk for HIV infection should be screened annually. The CDC recommends that persons ages 13-64 get tested for HIV to help stop the spread of the disease, regardless of their perceived risk.  

Many events are planned throughout Kansas in recognition of World AIDS Day:

• El Dorado: On Monday, December 1, a health education program will be sponsored by the Walnut Valley AIDS Coalition in cooperation with Butler Community College and Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. The program will be held at Butler Community College Kansas Room – 1500 Building, 901 S. Haverhill Road, El Dorado.  To register for the morning continuing education program, or to receive additional information, contact the Butler County Health Department at 316-321‑3400 or 1-800-940-6083.
  

• Emporia: The Flint Hills Community Health Center/Lyon County Heath Department, 420 W. 15th Ave. Emporia, will be providing free HIV testing to the public on Monday, December 1 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The health department will also be conducting community outreach testing.  For more information, contact the department at 620-342-4864 x240.  
  

• Garden City: The United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries is sponsoring free HIV testing on Monday, December 1 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the UMMAM clinic, 224 N. Taylor in Garden City. Call 620-275-1766 x233 for more information.

• Kansas City, Kan.: Good Samaritan Project (GSP) of Kansas City, Kan. will be conducting free HIV testing for 100 people on December 1 from 8 a.m. - noon. Free HIV testing is also routinely available 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday-Friday at the GSP offices located at 630 Minnesota, Ste. 202, Kansas City, Kan.
  
  GSP will be hosting a World AIDS Day workshop titled, “High Risk Behavior – What Is It…How to Stop It” on Monday, December 1 at Harbor Light Village, 6723 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Registration at the door will begin at 8 a.m.  The workshop will be conducted 8:30 a.m. - noon.  Call 816-778-0796 to register in advance for the workshop.

• Larned: The Pawnee County Health Department is offering free HIV screenings on Monday, December 1 by appointment.  For more information, contact the Pawnee County Health Department, 715 Broadway, Larned; or to set up an appointment call 620-285-6963.

• Lawrence: Douglas County AIDS Project (DCAP) will be providing free HIV testing at the KU Student Center in Lawrence on Monday, December 1 from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.  For more information, contact DCAP at (785) 843-2669.

• Leavenworth: The Leavenworth County Health Department will be conducting free HIV testing during the week of December 1. Display tables with HIV/STD information will be set up at the local Leavenworth branch of the KCK community college and St. Mary University. On the night of December 1, Kendra Knight of the health department will be conducting a HIV/STD program at St. Mary U. for the student body. The evening program will begin at 7 p.m. and in the Maria Hall Auditorium.
  

• Manhattan: The Regional AIDS Project (Region 6) will be conducting free HIV testing December  2-4 at the following locations and times:

Tuesday, December 2, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
HEAT! Red Party featuring Miss Monica Moree - free HIV testing
PJ’s Pub 1129 Laramie, Manhattan.

Wednesday, December 3, 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Free HIV Testing at the KSU Union, West Ballroom
Kansas State University, Manhattan.

Wednesday, December 3, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.
‘Rock the Red’ AIDS Benefit Concert - Free HIV Testing - Prizes for those that are tested at the Kathouse Lounge, 1111 Moro St., Manhattan

Thursday, December 4, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Latino Nights featuring DJ Luis - Free HIV Testing
PJ’s Pub 1129 Laramie Manhattan

For more information, contact the Regional AIDS Project (Region 6) at 785-587-1999 or admin@regionalaidsproject.org.

The Riley County-Manhattan Health Department is sponsoring a World AIDS Day Awareness Week.  For more information about any of the following activities, contact the health department at 785-776-4779.

Monday, December 1
Meet at the triangle park at 6 p.m. in Aggieville, and bring your flashlight! Participants will walk to the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 700 Poyntz, Manhattan. A memorial service will take place at the church at 7:30 p.m.
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Tuesday, December 2 – Friday, December 5
A panel of the NAMES Quilt will be on display each day in the court yard of the KSU Union between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Tuesday, December 2
Dancing and activities with free HIV testing beginning at 10 p.m. at PJ’s Pub, 1129 Laramie, Manhattan.

Wednesday, December 3
Jade Esteban Estrada will perform at the KSU Union Main Ballroom at 7 p.m. Then at 9 p.m., the Kathouse lounge will host live bands and free HIV testing.

Thursday, December 4
“The Stigma and the Virus” will be presented in the Flint Hills Room starting at
7 p.m. at the KSU Union, along with several speakers including Buck Rowlands of KDHE and Dusty Garner. Then, salsa night at PJ’s with free HIV testing.

Tuesday, December 9
“A Boy, a Girl and a Virus” will be presented at the KSU Union starting at 7 p.m.

• Salina: The Salina-Saline County Health Department will host a seminar on December 1 titled, “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.” Free HIV testing will also be offered between noon - 6 p.m. at the health department, 125 W. Elm St., on Wednesday, December 3.
  

• Topeka: The Topeka AIDS Project (TAP) will also conduct an interfaith candlelight memorial services hosted by Lowman United Methodist Church, 4000 S.W. Drury in Topeka starting at 7 p.m. on December 1.

• Wichita: Hunter Health Clinic Hunter Health Clinic located at 2318 E. Central in Wichita is offering free HIV testing.  No appointment is necessary. Those who come on December 1 will receive a free t-shirt.
  

Kansas residents who are at risk for HIV can get tested at one of more than 80 sites in the state. Contact your local health department or the Kansas Department of Health and Environment HIV/STD Section at 785-296-6174 for the location nearest you. HIV testing information is available on the KDHE Web site at www.kdheks.gov/hiv/index.html.  Information on public testing sites, the new state epidemiologic profile for HIV/STD, and a downloadable statewide guide of HIV/STD services can be accessed through the KDHE website at www.kdheks.gov/hiv/download/quick_guide.pdf. Additional information from the CDC can be accessed at www.cdc.gov/hiv/.