Today is National Women/Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and I am rocking the Red Pump!
It's a nationwide initiative to raise awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on women & girls and encourages ladies to take action.
For all my Chicago ladies (and gents):
Happy hour on March 10th to raise money and awareness for the Chicago AIDS Women Project at Plush Lounge (1104 W. Madison) from 6:30-8:30.
If you don't know where your nearest testing center is, you can always visit HIVTest.org
Some facts:
HIV/AIDS & Minority Women
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HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects minority women in the United States. According to the 2005 census, Black and Latina women represent 24% of all US women combined, but account for 82% of the estimated total of AIDS diagnoses for women in 2005.
HIV is:
*the leading cause of death for black women (including African American women) aged 25–34 years.
*the 3rd leading cause of death for black women aged 35–44 years.
*the 4th leading cause of death for black women aged 45–54 years.
*the 4th leading cause of death for Latina women aged 35–44 years.
*The only diseases causing more deaths of women were cancer and heart disease
*The rate of AIDS diagnosis for black women was approximately 23 times the rate for white women and 4 times the rate for Latina women
*In 2006, teen girls represented 39% of AIDS cases reported among 13–19 year-olds. Black teens represented 69% of cases reported among 13–19 year-olds; Latino teens represented 19%
