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MDHHS recognizes December 1 as World AIDS Day

For Immediate Release: November 30, 2016

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recognizes tomorrow, Dec. 1, 2016, as World AIDS Day through a series of events and observations.  World AIDS Day aims to realize the vision of a world with zero new HIV infections and offers an opportunity to further inform and raise public awareness about HIV/AIDS and the importance of halting the spread of the virus.

The theme for this year’s awareness campaign is “Leadership. Commitment. Impact.”  The observance will mark the 35th year since the first cases of HIV which garnered the world’s attention.  Many agencies and health departments across the state will be scheduling events for the Dec.1 observance, and MDHHS staff will be participating in some of these events.  You can view an updated list of events at www.michigan.gov/hivstd

As of May 2016, 17,660 people were estimated to be living with HIV in Michigan – just under half of whom have a diagnosis of AIDS.  Further breakdown reveals that 57 percent of those infected are African-American, 34 percent are White, 5 percent are Hispanic, 1 percent are Asian/Pacific Islander and 4 percent are other or of an unknown race.  Seventy-seven percent of those infected are males, and 23 percent are females.  Men who have sex with men (MSM) remains the demographic at highest risk for HIV. 

The MDHHS, Division of HIV and STD Programs provides HIV/STD prevention, risk reduction education and care services statewide, as well as training to support our state’s HIV/AIDS and STD providers.  HIV education and risk reduction continues to be an integral part of prevention efforts.  In collaboration with partners around the state, MDHHS provides access to life-saving medications and medical care to reduce transmission and improve the health of those living with HIV. All of these initiatives aim to improve the care continuum with those living with HIV.

Please contact your local health department or AIDS Service Organization in your area or visit www.michigan.gov/hivstd for information regarding World AIDS Day events.

To find testing sites in your area, visit https://gettested.cdc.gov/.    

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