Prevention is power — Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
On February 7, 2008, Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) will join African American leaders, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and organizations nationwide in observance of the eighth annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
DCHHS will observe the day by offering free HIV testing at a number of locations, including its Stemmons location.
DCHHS Mobil Medical Clinic will partner with The Big T Bazaar Shopping Center to provide education, counseling, testing, and other medical services on Thursday, February 7, 2008 from 10 am – 5 pm. The Big T Bazaar is located at 4515 Village Fair, Dallas, Texas, 75216. Currently, this zip code has the highest morbidity in Dallas County. In addition, the DCHHS Mobile Medical Clinic will also conduct free routine screening on the campus of Paul Quinn University, 3837 Simpson Stuart Rd., Dallas, Texas, 75241, from 12:00 – 4:00pm on Saturday, February 9, 2008.
“Nationally, 72 African Americans are infected with HIV every day,” said Zachary Thompson, DCHHS Director. “While African Americans make up approximately 13 percent of the population of the United States, we represent almost half of the total AIDS cases reported in this country. DCHHS encourages citizens to get educated, get tested, get involved, and get treated,” Thompson continued. In 2006 in Dallas County, African Americans made up 46% of all new HIV/AIDS cases. African American women continue to be the most severely impacted group. African American women are 25 times more likely to be infected with HIV than White women and four times more likely than Hispanic women.
The DCHHS STD Program offers rapid testing, treatment, and partner notification at its clinics located at 2377 North Stemmons Freeway, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call (214) 819-1819. DCHHS Mobile Medical Clinic travels to various locations around the County and offers free testing for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia. HIV and Syphilis results are available within the hour. Treatment for syphilis and other STDs may be available on site. For more information on the Mobile Medical Clinic or for its schedule and locations, call (214) 819-2132.
