Minnesota will join the U.S. and more than 200 countries to commemorate World AIDS Day on Tuesday, Dec. 1 for the 22nd consecutive year to call attention to the worldwide HIV/AIDS epidemic and its continued spread.
“Despite the progress that has been made in developing new treatments against HIV infection, new HIV infections continue to occur at undiminished levels each year,” said Peter Carr, director of the STD and HIV Section, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). “World AIDS Day provides us with an opportunity to heighten the awareness that AIDS is still here and that there is no cure or vaccine to slow its spread.”

Health officials report that more than 7,400 people worldwide are infected with HIV every day, and roughly 33 million people are estimated to be living with HIV or AIDS around the globe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 56,300 new HIV cases occur in the U.S. each year and that more than 1 million Americans are currently living with HIV.
“Nationally, a dangerous trend is emerging among persons between the ages of 13 and 24,” said Carr. “Statistics are showing that persons in this age group are being infected by HIV more so than ever before. We are monitoring this situation very closely in Minnesota.”

Since 1982, 8,819 people in Minnesota have been diagnosed with HIV infection, and 2,976 of them have died. Currently, an estimated 6,220 people are reported to be living with HIV/AIDS in Minnesota, including those who moved to Minnesota after they were diagnosed in other states. MDH received a new reported HIV case every 27 hours in 2008 and averaged about 320 new annual HIV infections over the past few years. Increases were seen among males, ages 13 to 24, where cases have more than doubled since 2001.

About 38 percent of all new cases reported in 2008 were among men of color. Statewide rates for African Americans and Latinos are nearly 10 and 5 times greater, respectively, than whites. Rates for African communities are over 24 times greater than for whites. Cases among white males and among men who have sex with men both increased by 13 percent in 2008 when compared to the previous year.

MDH data also show that about one in three persons diagnosed in 2008 were considered “late testers” indicating that they already had AIDS or developed AIDS within a year after being tested. An AIDS diagnosis usually occurs after being infected with HIV for five to ten years. Lower testing rates may be due to cultural and language barriers, social stigmas and limited access to health resources and care.

 “Prevention and knowing your HIV status are still our best weapons to slow the spread of HIV infection,” said Carr. “Always practice safer sex and get tested early if you place yourself at risk so you can get the full benefits of early detection and treatment”.
To help provide dates and locations for prevention education and free testing opportunities, the MDH Web site offers a calendar of events at: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/hiv/worldaidsday/index.html.

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World AIDS Day has been held annually since 1988 under the sponsorship of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and recently through the organization, World AIDS Campaign.
World AIDS Day activities will occur throughout December

……in Minnesota, here are a couple of sample event listings……
Today, December 1, Capri Theatre, 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis, MN 55411
World AIDS Day Open MIC (6:00 – 8:00 p.m.), free and open to the general public
In observance of World AIDS Day, an open mike forum will be held to discuss the HIV disparities that are occurring among African and African American women. This event is hosted by the Minnesota African/African American Women HIV Initiative (MAAAH) and Full Faith Ministries.

Saturday, December 5, Brian Coyle Center, 420 15th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55454
African World AIDS Day Event (11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), free and open to the general public

The African World AIDS Day (AWAD) Planning Committee is hosting its sixth annual event in observance of World AIDS Day. The AWAD event will feature three internationally renowned speakers: Margaret Korto from Ghana who now is a Capacity Building Specialist at the Office of Minority Health Resource Center, Washington D.C.; Dr. Kari A. Hartwig is Program Director of the Whole Village Project at the University of Minnesota who has worked in the area of HIV/AIDS research and prevention strategies in eastern and southern Africa and Southeast Asia since 1988; and, Dr. Alan Lifson, Professor, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota , who also has worked in Africa. African performers including the Pilgrim Singers Kenyan Group, community leaders, agency exhibits, free HIV testing and a free lunch will also be included during the event.
For additional information about World AIDS Day activities, visit the MDH web site at:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/hiv/worldaidsday/calendar.html