World AIDS Day is December 7, 2014

MEMPHIS, TN –On Monday, December 7, 2014, the Shelby County Health Department is collaborating with a number of community partners to observe the 26th  World AIDS Day.  The theme for World AIDS Day 2014 is ‘Getting to Zero: zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS related deaths’

As of 2013, 26,428 Tennessee residents were reported to have been infected with HIV, and Shelby County accounts for approximately 38 percent of those cases. In 2013 there were 6,024 People Living with HIV Disease in Shelby County.

The only way to know if you have HIV is to be tested. In recognition of World AIDS Day, during the month of December the Shelby County Health Department will offer free confidential HIV counseling and rapid testing the month of December. We will also offer free STD treatments for the first two weeks in the month of December at the following locations:

Packer Clinic

814 Jefferson Avenue, Room 221

Memphis, TN 38105

And

Cawthon  Public Health Clinic

1000 Haynes Street

Memphis, TN 38114

Between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 2:30 P.M.

Preliminary results available in one hour

The Shelby County Health Department in collaboration with Shelby County School District and Well Child Incorporated will conduct STD Screenings for students attending theschools listed below:

Monday, November 17, 2014                 Sheffield High School                                      8:00AM– 2:00PM

Tuesday, November 18, 2014                Westwood High School                                    8:00AM – 2:00PM

Wednesday, November 19, 2014           East High School                                             8:00AM – 2:00 PM

Thursday, November 20, 2014              North Side School                                            8:00AM – 2:00PM

Friday, November 21, 2014                   Wooddale High                                                8:00AM – 2:00PM

*Monday, December 1, 2014                 City Hall                                                           10:00AM – 2:00PM

Also in observance of World AIDS Day 2014, the Shelby County Health Department, in collaboration with the Shelby County Unified School District will host its’ annual World AIDS Day Program:

Monday, December 1, 2014

 12:30 P.M. – 1:30 P.M.

Wooddale High School Auditorium

5151 Scottsdale Avenue, Memphis, TN 38118

This annual World AIDS Day event is a unique opportunity for local community based HIV/AIDS service groups and organizations to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS and reinforce the need for HIV prevention activities and programs. The media is invited to attend.

The Health Department will also announce its’ “Light of Hope” Award winners at the ceremony. The Light of Hope Award is given to an individual, an organization and business that have consistently exhibited a strong desire to assist and/or support HIV/AIDS education, prevention and care efforts in Shelby County.

For more information about planned World AIDS Day activities, call the Shelby County Health Department’s Infectious Disease Section at (901) 222-9428, Monday through Friday during normal business hours.

* In collaboration with Representative G.A. Hardaway at the Hall of Mayor’s, 160 Main Street, Memphis TN.