The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
MDCH Recognizes December 1st As World AIDS Day
November 30, 2010
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), Division of Health, Wellness & Disease Control (DHWDC) recognizes World AIDS Day through a series of events and observations. The theme for this year's World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, 2010, is Universal Access and Human Rights. Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.
As of Oct. 1, 2010, a total of 18,800 people were estimated to be living with HIV in Michigan, over half of whom have a diagnosis of AIDS. Further breakdown reveals that 59 percent of those infected are African-American, 35 percent are White, 4 percent are Hispanic, and 1 percent are other or of unknown race. Seventy-seven percent of those infected are males. Adolescents and young adult diagnoses have increased for the fifth consecutive year; nearly three-fourths of the state's new cases among 13-19 year olds are Southeastern Michigan residents. Eighty five percent of newly diagnosed teens are African-American, compared to 60 percent of persons diagnosed at older ages. Furthermore, teens are much more likely to be African-American males who have sex with males (MSM) compared to adults 20 years and older (62% vs. 23%). African-American MSM was 62 percent of these newly diagnosed teens.
The MDCH, DHWDC in conjunction with the Detroit Department of Health & Wellness Promotion, Children's Hospital Horizon Project, Michigan AIDS Coalition, Southeastern HIV/AIDS Council and the Wayne County Department of Public Health Department, will recognize World AIDS Day on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at the Northwest Activity Center in Detroit. Activities include free and confidential HIV testing, STD and syphilis screenings. Diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, and vision screenings will also be available. Along with various HIV/AIDS community organizations displaying information on the services they provide, we will also have several workshops which address HIV/AIDS & STD prevention.
The keynote speaker for this year's observance will be Dr. Anthony D. Atkins, M.D., a physician at Lima Community Health Center in Lima, Ohio.
Dr. Atkins will present "LIFESTORYZ STATE OF EMERGENCY," a rap, hip-hop and rhythm & blues project that delivers positive and informational messages to help inner city youth make the right choices about health and sex.
The MDCH, DHWDC continues to provide HIV/STD prevention education and care services, as well as training, to support our state's HIV/AIDS & STD service providers. For more information on HIV/AIDS & STD service providers. For more information, please contact the, the World AIDS Day Planning Committee Chair at petersont@michigan.gov.