Harford County Health Department Supports World AIDS Day Observance

From the Harford County Health Department:

Conceived in 1988 as the first-ever global health observance, World AIDS Day falls annually on December 1st. In the U.S., the National Centers for Disease Control and public health partners locally and worldwide unite people in the fight against HIV, to encourage action in support of people living with HIV and to memorialize those who have died. This year’s theme, “Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation” highlights the global commitment needed to achieve that goal.

On Monday, December 1st, 2014 in support of World AIDS Day, the Harford County Health Department will offer free walk-in confidential or anonymous HIV testing at 1 N. Main Street, Bel Air, MD 21014 from 9:00AM to 2:00PM.

Since the beginning of the epidemic, approximately 70 million people have been infected with HIV and more than 35 million people have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. World AIDS Day reinforces that despite better understanding about the condition, the passage of laws to protect people living with HIV and the many scientific advances made in HIV treatment, HIV has not gone away. The need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve HIV and AIDS education is as important now, as ever.

Harford County Health Officer Susan Kelly states, “The impact of HIV on society crosses the boundaries of sexual orientation, gender, age, and ethnicity. World AIDS Day serves as a reminder to everyone throughout the world, in the United States and across all local communities, of the importance of taking action to curb the HIV epidemic through testing, prevention, and treatment.”

Visit AIDS.gov for information from the Federal government about HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, treatment, and research. Also visit www.harfordcountyhealth.com or call 410-638-3060 for more information about Harford County Health Department services and resources.