World AIDS Day 2016 'Leadership. Commitment. Impact'

Erie, PA – In observance of World Aids Day the Erie County Executive and the Erie County HIV Task Force are proud to host an art display featuring the "Aids Memorial Quilt" with a program at 2:00pm to honor those who have lost their courageous battle with HIV, those fighting the disease and family and friends of those of those affected by the disease.   The display will be held from 1:30-3:30 in the Admiral Room at the Blasco Library, 160 East Front St., Erie PA, on Thursday, December 1, 2016.

World AIDS Day is a global initiative to raise awareness, fight prejudice, and improve education about HIV and encourage testing for HIV.  On World AIDS Day, December 1, the  Erie County HIV Task Force encourages everyone in Erie County from ages 15 to 65 to get tested at least once for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.  In the United States, about 1 in 8 people who has HIV is unaware of their infection.  The only way to know for sure whether or not you have HIV is to get tested.  You could have HIV and still feel healthy.

There are medications and treatment for HIV.  Knowing your HIV status allows the opportunity for early treatment and control of the infection.  Delays in treatment can lead to further HIV transmission and reduction in the length and quality of life for these individuals.   Around the world, about 34 million people are living with HIV.  In the United States, about 50,000 people get infected with HIV every year.

HIV testing is available free of charge at the Erie County Department of Health, 606 West Second Street, Erie, PA, Adagio Health, 240 West 11th St and 118 Plum St, Edinboro, PA and Community Health Net, 1202 State St.  For more information about testing, call the Health Department at 814-451-6714.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/eriecountyhivtaskforce or  www.ecdh.org or www.cdc.gov/hiv .