Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – Today is Black HIV and AIDS awareness day. The observance of this day began in 1999, during Black History Month.
The goal is to increase awareness of HIV and AIDS within the African American community, who often are impacted at higher percentages.
According to the US Department of Minority Health, Black Americans are nearly seven times more likely to be diagnosed with HIV infection than other Americans.
Wicomico County Health Department officials hope they offer testing to those at risk of exposure.
“We have some clinics coming up this month that are walk-in, that is for HIV and Syphilis testing only, and you get the results within 15 minutes. That’s on February 24th, 26th, and 28th from 1 to 3.”
The Wicomico Health Department also offers low-cost testing at the William C. Fritz Health Center by appointment Monday through Friday.
