Department of Health Promotes HIV/AIDS Prevention
The Tennessee Department of Health is collaborating with community partners to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day on December 1, 2007. This year’s theme, “Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise,” focuses on leadership activities surrounding HIV/AIDS prevention and care. The Department of Health works with other government, faith-based and community organizations in partnerships essential to fighting HIV/AIDS.
Tennessee has not escaped the pandemic of HIV/AIDS, with cases reported in every county of our state. Figures through the end of 2006 show 20,289 Tennessee residents have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Of this number, 13,521 Tennesseans are currently living with HIV/AIDS, and to date there have been 6,768 deaths among Tennesseans infected with this virus. Department of Health statistics show that African Americans are the most disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS in Tennessee; 66 percent of the total reported HIV/AIDS cases in Tennessee in 2006 were among this population.
“Tennessee is fortunate to have outstanding community leaders fighting the battle against HIV/AIDS,” said Jamie Russell, Department of Health HIV/AIDS/STD prevention director. “There are excellent role models in HIV prevention, education and leadership, but the success of HIV/AIDS prevention starts with each of us. I encourage everyone to take a leadership role in their own health by getting tested and by encouraging their friends, neighbors and family to get tested. Know your status.”
The Department of Health offers confidential HIV testing at all county health department clinics. A person may feel perfectly healthy after becoming infected with HIV, and may be at risk for passing the virus on to others. The only way to know for certain if an individual is infected with the HIV virus is to be tested. All Tennessee health department clinics offer counseling with a trained health care provider both before and after an HIV test. To find your local county health department, visit the Department of Health Web site at http://health.state.tn.us/localdepartments.htm.