Today is National HIV testing day, regardless of your age, you should know your status!

Here are some Alabama AIDS stats from the Centers for Disease Control:
  • The HIV rate in Alabama is 3 people per 1,000 known to be HIV positive.
  • The HIV rate in Mobile is 1 person in every 200. The HIV rate in Montgomery is 1.5 persons in every 200. The HIV rate in Birmingham is 1 person in every 200. The HIV rate in Huntsville is 1 person in every 300.
  • African-American males have the highest case rate, followed by African-American females, then white males, then white females.
  • More infected people claim to be heterosexual than homosexual.
  • New infections are disproportionately found in African-Americans (71%) and young people under 32 (55%).
  • 40% of all new infections are in women of childbearing years.
  • Slightly over 12, 500 people believed to be living with HIV need care -- 2,000 are women and at least 6,000 are affected children.
  • Medications cost $10,500 - $15,000 per year per person.
  • At least 2,500 persons living with HIV in Alabama are not engaged in care. Estimated cost for hospitalizations, emergency room visits, emergency medications, and medical visits for individuals who are HIV-positive and not receiving routine HIV-specific care is as much as $100,000 per person.
Today through the 29 in recognition in honor of National HIV testing day, Walgreen will be doing free testing or you can go to West Alabama Aids Outreach Center.  Either way, know your status!

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