Press Release
JUNE 8th, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
|
CONTACT: Public
Information
561-671-4014 or
press50@doh.state.fl.us |
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL—
Wednesday,
June 27, 2012, marks the
18th annual observance of
National HIV Testing Day (NHTD),
reminding all Americans that
 HIV testing is an important
step in the prevention and
treatment of HIV/AIDS. Too
many people don't know they
have HIV. In the United
States, nearly 1.2 million
people are living with HIV,
and almost one in five don't
know they are infected.
Getting tested is the first
step to finding out if you
have HIV. If you have HIV,
getting medical care and
taking medicines regularly
helps you live a longer,
healthier life and also
lowers the chances of
passing HIV on to others.
Every nine
and a half minutes someone
in the United States becomes
infected with HIV, adding up
to more than 55,000 annual
new infections.
Currently in
Palm Beach County, less than
2% of persons living with
AIDS or HIV are under the
age of thirteen. For the
first five months of 2012,
59 new AIDS cases were
reported, a 42% decrease
from the first five months
of 2011 when 101 AIDS cases
were reported. In addition,
for the first five months of
2012, 97 new HIV infection
cases were reported, a 30%
decrease from the first five
months of 2011 when 138 HIV
infection cases were
reported. As of May 31,
2012, cumulatively the
number of AIDS cases in the
county is 11,227 and HIV
cases are 3,412. Palm
Beach County's ranking in
the state for HIV/AIDS is
#4. As of March 31, 2012;
7,879 persons are living
with HIV/AIDS in Palm Beach
County. It is estimated
that this number could
actually be 20% greater.
The 20% is based not only on
those who have not been
tested but also includes
people in care but whose
test results have not been
reported and thirdly, those
persons in care but whose
test results were reported
from another state. Knowing
your HIV status at an early
stage of infection allows
you to access medical care
and treatment and support
that can extend your life.
Early diagnosis of HIV
infection can delay the
progression to AIDS and
reduce transmission of HIV
to others.
The NHTD campaign also
prevents new HIV infections
by increasing education and
awareness and access to HIV
counseling and testing
services. This year marks
the 28th year of the HIV
test, which was first
offered in 1985. A lot has
changed since the first HIV
tests were offered. With
new rapid test technology,
you can learn your HIV
status in 20 minutes.
Multiple community-based
organizations have partnered
with the Palm Beach County
Health Department to
organize HIV testing
activities that will take
place throughout Palm Beach
County during the week of
NHTD – June 20 – 27. As the
event approaches, check out
the websites
www.pbchd.com and
www.HIVTest.org for a
complete and up-to-date
listing of all NHTD
activities or call toll-free
1-800-FLA-AIDS.
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