World AIDS Day Press Release
World AIDS Day 2010: Universal Access and Human Rights Carolinas CARE Partnership HIV Testing Increases Access for the Charlotte Region
(Charlotte, NC) December 1, 2010 marks the 13th annual commemoration of World AIDS Day. This year’s theme, “Universal Access and Human Rights,” brings to light some of the reasons why HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, continues to devastate both our community and communities around the world. Advocates, both globally and locally,are working to find ways to ensure Universal Access to HIV prevention, testing, medical care and support services for everyone infected with or at risk for HIV, calling it a basic Human Right.
Carolinas CARE Partnership, formerly the Regional HIV/AIDS Consortium, focuses on HIV prevention, education, housing, mental health and counseling and testing, and works to create a community where universal access to prevention and care is a reality.
In observance of World AIDS Day, Carolinas CARE Partnership will offer FREE and CONFIDENTIAL HIV and Syphilis Testing on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at 7510 East Independence Boulevard, Suite 105. All members of the community are invited and encouraged to come out, learn about ways to prevent HIV, get to know Carolinas CARE Partnership and get tested for HIV and Syphilis.
It’s free, it’s confidential, no appointment is required and knowing your HIV status is one way to take control of your health.
For more information, please call Shannon Warren, Program Director, at 704-531-2467 x 14.
HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death among African-Americans, and African-Americans make up over half of new HIV infections. HIV rates also continue to rise among Latinos, gay men, adolescents, and people over 50. In Mecklenburg County alone, 400 individuals were diagnosed with HIV during 2009 – that’s more than one a day. For more information, please visit www.carolinascare.org; www.cdc.gov or http://whb.ncpublichealth.com .
