The facts about HIV/AIDS are staggering. Just in Ohio, Nearly 20% of all HIV/AIDS cases live in Central Ohio; 59% of people living with HIV in Central Ohio have run out of money for food, while 17% have been homeless in the last 12 months. Nationally, it is reported that every hour of every day, two young Americans between the ages of 13 and 24 contract the HIV virus, and women comprise the fastest-growing population of newly diagnosed cases.
Join us in our continued fight against HIV/AIDS, especially today: December 1, 2010 - World AIDS Day. How might you take action today or on the days that follow? Check out some suggestions below (courtesy: aids.gov):
•Get tested for HIV.
•Talk with your health care provider about your risks for HIV.
•Learn about the risk factors for acquiring HIV.
•Decide not to engage in high risk behaviors.
•Practice safer methods to prevent HIV.
•Talk about HIV prevention with family, friends, and colleagues.
•Tell people about why this Day is important to you.
•Talk about the epidemic’s impact on your community with friends and family.
•Provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS.
•Volunteer at and/or Donate $$ to a local organization that serves people living with HIV.
•Ask community leaders to increase their response to addressing the epidemic.
•Get involved with or host an event for the Awareness Day in your community.
•Help fund an event for the Day or support it with in-kind donations.
•Visit AIDS.gov for information from the Federal government about HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, treatment, research, and using new media in response to HIV/AIDS.
