WM Library to host World AIDS Day event

WM Library to host World AIDS Day event

Arkansas Dept. of Health- sponsored event Thursday at 4 p. m.

news@theeveningtimes.com

Thursday marks the 28th annual World AIDS Day.

Locally the West Memphis Public Library hosts a slate of activities to increase public awareness. Crittenden County Community Connector Melvin Watson will partner with the Arkansas Department of Health bringing guest speakers, information booths, refreshments and door prizes to the public.

According to United Nation Under Secretary General and Executive Director of UNAIDS Michael Sidibe 78 million people are HIV infected and 35 million have died from AIDS-related illnesses. The UN committed to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 in its Sustainable Development Goals. Nonetheless the Secretary issued a warning to young adults.

“We are winning against the AIDS epidemic, but we are not seeing progress everywhere,” said Sidibe.

“The number of new HIV infections is not declining among adults and young women particularly at risk of becoming infected for HIV.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pointed to intervention as key in a report issued in May. According to CDC statistics HIV rates are highest in the South at a rate of 18.5 per 100,000 with 87 percent diagnosed unaware of their infection. CDC estimates show that African Americans account for almost half of all new infections and represent 40 percent of all people living with HIV.

The study showed intervention for people at high risk of HIV infection can reduce risk behavior and can play an important role in many prevention strategies. Good old fashion positive influence is part of the plan.

“Behavior change delivered by health care providers, peers and others have shown to significantly reduce risk behaviors among people diagnosed with HIV to help insure they do not transmit the virus to others,” said the CDC fact sheet on proven HIV Prevention Methods.

Community Connector Melvin Watson announced the 2016 World AIDS day local event to West Memphis City Council, and invited the public to the West Memphis Public Library, located at 213 N. Avalon, this Thursday, Dec. 1, from 4 to 6 p.m.

“This is an opportunity for people world wide and in Crittenden County to unite in the fight against HIV show their support for people living with HIV, and remember those who have died,” said Watson. “We give information, education and awareness, prevention and testing on this day throughout the world. This is very important to our community. We will do education and awareness and be giving out updated information pertaining to STD rates in Crittenden County and West Memphis.”

By John Rech