FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(February 24, 2011)    

 

 

Contact: Tiffany Coffman

Phone: 1-866-966-9590

Email: tiffany@b-girlproductions.com

 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Region IV is

Taking a Stand on HIV/AIDS Awareness/Prevention on

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

 

Atlanta, GA — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (U.S. DHHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), Region IV is taking a stand on HIV/AIDS awareness/prevention. On
March 10, 2011, the Regional Office
will hold a
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) event.
The event will begin at 4:30 P.M. and end at 6:30 P.M. within Georgia State University’s, Veterans Memorial Hall, located at 30 Courtland Street, Atlanta, GA 30303.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in five people living with HIV infection in the United States do not know they are infected. In 2007, more than a quarter of diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States were among women and girls aged 13 years and older. The numbers are an indicator that it is time to increase awareness and prevention efforts.

According to the Office on Women’s Health (OWH), NWGHAAD
is a nationwide observance that encourages people to take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS and raise awareness of its impact on women and girls. Organizations across the country come together to offer support, encourage discussion, and teach women and girls about prevention of HIV, the importance of getting tested for HIV, and how to live with and manage HIV/AIDS.

During the event, Candice Wiggins (Minnesota Lynx – WNBA Player) will share her personal testimony in regards to HIV/AIDS while encouraging young women and girls to take a stand and get tested! The event will highlight a thought provoking HIV/AIDS awareness performance by the group “Substance Abuse Prevention Teen Theater (SAPTT).” In addition, the event will include a self esteem building workshop to inspire women and girls facilitated by AID Atlanta. Partners of the event include the Center for Black Women’s Wellness, The Creative Conversations Group LLC, Girlfriends Health Guide, AID Atlanta, and Georgia State University’s Student Health Promotion Division.

For more information on National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, please visit http://www.womenshealth.gov/nwghaad.