ECHTF Walks for HIV Awareness

On Monday September 27, 2021, the Erie County HIV Task Force held the 4th Annual HIV / AIDS Awareness Walk at Frontier Park, Erie PA. The ECHTF is a collaboration of local organizations and individuals dedicated to educating, supporting, and advocating for people living with HIV/AIDS and preventing the spread of infection. With the COVID-19 pandemic last year, testing and treatment services were limited for HIV and STIs across the nation as well as Erie County. In 2021, significant increases have been reported in HIV / AIDS and STI cases overall. Communicable diseases including HIV/STIs are preventable with education and access to medications, prophylactics, and services. The HIV / AIDS walk provides a reminder to the local community that making personal health a priority is everyone’s right. This year’s awareness walk also welcomed the recent addition of Central Outreach Wellness Center of Erie as local health center for the LGBTQIA community. Central Outreach supplied participants with free walk t-shirts and testing opportunities via their mobile unit at the event. Awareness walk attendees also received complimentary gift bags of materials from the task force as well as event sponsors Adagio Health, SafeNet, Community HealthNet, the Erie County Department of Health, Erie Gay News, and the Northwest Pennsylvania Pride Alliance. Public Health Staff were on hand for participants to ask questions and receive additional information regarding COVID-19, and the services of Nicotine Free Northwest PA and Adagio Health.

Photos

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