For immediate release
June 10, 2003
Contact: Vickie Elisa
               (404) 294-3700

NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY 2003
"TAKE THE TEST, TAKE CONTROL"

During the week of June 23 through June 27, the DeKalb County Board of Health's HIV Services, Adolescent Health and Youth Development program and Georgia Perimeter College will be hosting free health fairs from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The fairs will be held at the college's Clarkston and Decatur campuses and at the Board of Health's center on Winn Way in Decatur. The free services that will be provided are: HIV testing, TB screening, breast exams, hearing and vision screenings, blood pressure and glucose checks, Hepatitis A and B screenings, voter registration, information on tobacco use prevention, and Babies Can't Wait.

"According to the latest statistics released by the Board of Health, since 1981 deaths from AIDS have declined in DeKalb by 87 percent for black males ages 22 to 44 and 67 percent for white males. However, the number of people contracting the HIV virus is still rising," says Robert DiVito, director of the Board of Health's HIV services.

Individuals at risk for HIV are those who have had unprotected sex or who
have shared needles. Between 200 and 300 new cases of HIV are diagnosed in DeKalb County each year. Early detection is important since treatment of the virus and its symptoms is available.

"We also want people to know that we offer a full array of comprehensive
HIV/AIDS services at the Board of Health including social services, counseling, testing and treatment," says Mr. DiVito.

In addition to the health fairs, a reception will be held from 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. at the Richardson Health Center, 445 Winn Way, Decatur, in the Bohan Auditorium. Immediately following the reception will be a free screening of the movie entitled "One Week," which asks the audience one simple question: "What if the week before your wedding you discovered you might be HIV positive?" HOT 107.9 FM will also be broadcasting live from South DeKalb Mall on June 27. For more information on the DeKalb County Board of Health's HIV services, call (404) 508-7866 or for a complete listing of the health fair dates and locations visit http://www.dekalbhealth.net/national_hiv_testing_day_2003.pdf.

 

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