HIV-AIDS AWARENESS

March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, Office on Women's Health is the lead for this day. The 2009 theme is "HIV is Right Here at Home".

The Facts

In 2005, women represented 26 percent of new AIDS diagnoses, compared to only 11 percent of new AIDS cases reported in 1990. Most women are infected with HIV through heterosexual contact and injection drug use.

Women of color are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. AIDS is now the leading cause of death for Black women ages 25 to 34.

Resources

• Posters Download this poster to promote your National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day events!
• Save the date cards, Graphics and Other Materials Send a personalized NWGHAAD e-card to save the date. Download graphics, event and promotional materials from the Office of Women's Health.
• Events Find or register events for National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2009.
• Fact Sheets Download these fact sheets, post them on bulletin boards, share them with local newspapers, and distribute them at events! Click here to order free copies of these fact sheets. Read about the new CDC HIV incidence data.
• Websites AIDS.gov is the gateway to all Federal domestic information on HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, treatment, research, policies and resources. womenshealth.gov is the Federal government source for women's health information. cdc.gov is the information from the CDC about women and HIV/AIDS.
• Podcast Listen to and share this message from OWH Director Dr. Wanda Jones about HIV/AIDS among women and girls. Listen to this CDC podcast on the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls and the importance of getting tested for HIV.
• Mobile Resources To find an HIV Testing location near you, send a text message with your ZIP code to KNOWIT (566948) or visit hivtest.org.

Take Action

There are many ways you can take action in response to HIV/AIDS:

• get tested for HIV
• practice safer methods to prevent HIV
• decide not to engage in high risk behaviors
• talk about HIV prevention with family, friends, and colleagues
• provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS
• get involved with or host an event for National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in your community