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National Women and Girls HIV and AIDS Awareness Day
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Over one million Americans live with HIV
March 10th is National Women and Girls HIV and AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD). It is a nationwide initiative being coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health. Organizations will be observing the day including YWCAs across the country. They will host educational sessions, HIV testing events and community outreach.
The day is designed to raise public awareness of the impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls, provide support, educate and also encourage them to understand their HIV risk factors, take actions to prevent HIV infection, get an HIV test and, if infected, seek prompt medical care.
According to the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, AIDS is a leading cause of death for younger Black women ages 25 to 34, as well as the fourth leading cause of death for Hispanic women ages 35 to 44. However, the HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to disproportionately impact African American men and women across this country.
Although African American communities make up less than 13 percent of the U.S. population, African Americans account for nearly 50 percent of all HIV/ AIDS cases diagnosed in 2006. African American women comprise only 12 percent of the female population in the United States, yet they accounted for 64 percent of women living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2006
YWCAs will be observing this day to raise public awareness of the disproportionate impact HIV and AIDS has on this segment of the population.
The YWCA USA also maintains an online women and girls HIV and AIDS Resource Center.
Learn more with the March 2009 Prevention Bulletin provided by the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors .
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