Health Department Encourages HIV Testing

In recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the Illinois Department of Public Health is hosting several events through its Center for Minority Health Services.  The events are meant to encourage HIV testing and provide education and resources about the disease in black communities statewide.

Although 13 percent of the U.S. population, blacks account for 45 percent of all new HIV infections. Illinois has the 7^th highest number of diagnosed HIV infections, and is 5^th nationwide in the estimated number of AIDS cases.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was created in 2000 to mobilize and provide greater access to testing, health resources and education about the disease in an effort to reverse its occurrence in the black community.