FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- More than 1.1 million people in the United States are living with the HIV infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC says that almost 1 in 5 (18.5%) are unaware of their infection.
Your hospital staff team members here at the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital care about your health and well being.
That's why, on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, the Community Health Resource Center will have an HIV/AIDS awareness information booth set up in the foyer near the Information Desk from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Stop by and learn more about HIV/AIDS awareness.
Gay, bisexual and other Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), particularly young black/African American MSM, are most seriously affected by HIV. By race, blacks/African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV.
The CDC estimates that 1,148,200 persons, aged 13 years old, are living with HIV infection, including over 200,000 in this age group who are unaware of their infection.
Unfortunately, the number of people living with HIV infection has increased over the years.
New HIV infections are occurring at a rate of 50,000 per year.
In 2011 there were approximately 29,000 people diagnosed with the HIV infection in the U.S. Also during that time, an estimated 32,000 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with AIDS.
Since the AIDS epidemic began, an estimated 1,155,792 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with AIDS.
Over 15,000 people with a diagnosis of AIDS died in 2010, and over 600,000 people have died since the epidemic began in the U.S.
These statistics continue to increase at an alarming rate.
What can you do to protect yourself against contracting HIV/AIDS?
• Learn more about HIV/AIDS and its impact on your community
• Protect yourself against HIV infections by practicing safe sex
• Know your risks
• Use a condom. Visit CHRC and we will provide you with a "six pack" of latex condoms.
• Get tested, and if your results are positive, get support and treatment,
• Educate others about HIV/AIDS
Need a condom?
Take the self-care class and obtain condoms through the over-the-counter medication program.
We care about your health and well being, and we strive to do all we can to educate and keep you safe.
Stop by our information booth on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, from 10-2 p.m. in the hospital foyer near the Information Desk.
To learn more, call the CDC information line at 1-800-232-4636, your healthcare provider, your local health department, or the Community Health Resource Center here at (573) 596-0491/0518.
(Editor's note: Phyllis J. Jones is the health promotion director at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital)
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