“Honoring Our Sisters” by getting tested for HIV

(PALM SPRINGS, CA – February 25, 2008)

100 Women, a major donor program of Desert AIDS Project, is collaborating with D.A.P.’s Education, Prevention and Testing Department in offering a $20 gift card to women and girls getting a free HIV test at D.A.P. on Monday, March 10. Women and girls across the U.S. are being encouraged to get tested for HIV on this special National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which this year is themed “Honoring Our Sisters: Women Living with HIV/AIDS.”

D.A.P. regularly offers free confidential, RAPID HIV testing, with results available in about 20 minutes. The gift cards for this special day of awareness, redeemable for gasoline and other purchases at AM/PM Markets, will be offered only to women and girls, ages 12 and older, being tested on Monday, March 10 from 4:30 – 8:00 PM, either at D.A.P.’s main location at Sunrise and Vista Chino in Palm Springs or its Indio location at 81893 Dr. Carreon Drive from
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins will not be turned away. Call
760-323-2118 to make an appointment at D.A.P.’s main location or 760-342-4197 for an appointment at the Indio location.

“Learning their HIV status is one of the most important decisions women and girls of any age can make about their health care,” says David Brinkman, Executive Director of Desert AIDS Project. “We’re grateful that our 100 Women group, who are dedicated to improving community and medical services for women and children affected by HIV and AIDS, is highlighting this special day of awareness.”

Historically, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has affected more men than women. But women are being increasingly affected. Over the last 20 years, the proportion of estimated AIDS cases diagnosed among women has more than tripled, from 8% in 1985 to 27% in 2005. The epidemic has increased most dramatically among women of color, especially black women. In 2005, women of color accounted for 80% of all women estimated to be living with AIDS. Black women made up 62% of this total.

Younger women – those 13 to 24 years of age – are at persistent risk for HIV infection. According to the Center for Disease Control’s Youth Risk Behavioral Survey (YRBS,) many young people begin having sexual intercourse at early ages. The YRBS found that 47% of high school students have had sexual intercourse with 7.4% of them reporting first sexual intercourse before age 13. Young women, especially those of minority races or ethnicities, are increasingly at risk for HIV infection through heterosexual contact. This risk for sexually transmitted HIV is due to several reasons, including biologic vulnerability, lack of recognition of their partners’ risk factors, inequality in relationships, and having sex with older men who are more likely to be infected with HIV.

“We offer HIV testing all year long at a number of locations throughout the Coachella Valley and encourage everyone – not just women and girls – to get tested. It’s free, it’s confidential, and it’s one of the best steps anyone can take for a healthy future,” says Brinkman.

Those interested in knowing more about National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day can visit www.hhs.gov/aidsawarenessdays. For more information about Desert AIDS Project or its HIV testing hours and locations, please call 760-323-2118.

Desert AIDS Project at the Greenburg-Peet Family Center is the organization in our community where people living with HIV and AIDS can receive comprehensive services to help manage HIV disease. D.A.P. offers primary medical care through its Wells Fargo HIV Health Center. D.A.P. also provides widespread education and prevention services for schools, civic organizations, businesses, churches, and health organizations throughout the communities it serves.