It’s important to know your HIV status

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February 5, 2010

BY REP. JAKE WHEATLEY The Tribune-Democrat Fri Feb 05, 2010, 08:48 AM EST

As the nation observes another National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day this month, I would like to highlight some troubling facts.

* African-Americans make up about 10.5 percent of Pennsylvania’s population, but 47.5 percent of Pennsylvanians with AIDS were African-Americans as of 2007, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

* The CDC estimates that one-fifth of all Americans infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, are unaware they are infected. It is vital to raise awareness across the state of the need for people to get tested and know their status.

In Pennsylvania, information on HIV and AIDS and confidential HIV testing sites is available from the state’s AIDS fact line – (800) 662-6080 – or visit www.hivtest.org. Or call: (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636), TTY: (888) 232-6348; open 24 hours a day and confidential.

There is still no cure for AIDS, and prescription drugs to help an infected person survive can cost thousands of dollars per year.

Prevention is important. We need to share the word about how to reduce the risk of becoming infected and how to avoid spreading the virus. It’s also important to remember that you cannot get HIV from working with or being around someone who has it or by donating blood, for example.

To help raise awareness, I will hold a news conference at 1:30 p.m. today in the state Capitol rotunda about National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

As a member of the House Subcommittee on Health, I also will participate in an informational forum and roundtable discussion on AIDS awareness. That event will take place at 11 a.m. in Room G-50 of the Speaker K. Leroy Irvis Office Building in the Capitol Complex.

I believe there is a need for our state to do more in terms of support for prevention programming, testing and assisting people with reducing the cost for treatment. I will continue working toward those goals.

State Rep. Jake Wheatley Jr. is an Allegheny County Democrat representing the 19th Legislative District.

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