National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: March 10, 2012

national women and girls aids awareness day logo

March 10, 2012 marks the sixth annual National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, to raise awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS has had on women and girls and to encourage women and girls to take action.

Women and girls can take action against HIV/AIDS by getting tested, practicing safer sex, avoiding drug use and sharing needles, talking about HIV prevention with family, friends and colleagues, empowering oneself, and providing support to those living with HIV. The Community Education Group (CEG) in partnership with the Office on Women's Health has two key messages for 2012: "Women and Girls are Greater Than AIDS" and "Every Moment is a Deciding Moment." 

On this page:
Introduction
How Organizations Can Participate
HIV/AIDS Facts for Minnesota
For More Information

How Organizations Can Participate

Organizations may wish to provide or host activities that can help raise awareness about HIV/AIDS among women and girls within their communities, neighborhoods and schools:

  • Work with local health service or clinic to provide free walk-in HIV tests at clinic or at a community location or event
  • Hold a forum at a local school, youth center, women’s health club or community center
  • Set-up an AIDS awareness exhibit for women at your agency or at a local health fair, sports tournament, place of worship or other location reaching women
  • Invite someone who is living with HIV to speak at a local event or place of worship
  • Develop news release about HIV/AIDS and women and send to local newspapers
  • Encourage local media (radio, newspaper, cable TV) to provide coverage or do interviews on behalf of the observance
  • Arrange for schools to commemorate this observance through exhibits, DVDs, student art displays and guest speakers/peer educators from local AIDS organizations
  • Have your agency web site include information and links about the observance
  • Organize a 5K walk to raise awareness

HIV/AIDS Facts For Minnesota

Total Cases

As of 12/31/10, a total of 9,493 HIV and AIDS cases have been reported to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) since the epidemic began. Of the 9,493 cases, 3,228 have died. Among the cumulative number of reported cases:

  • 1,659 (17%) were female cases  
  •  324 females have died

Living Cases
There is an estimated 6,814 that are currently living with HIV in Minnesota. Of this total:

  • 1,571 (23%) were among females (includes those who have relocated to Minnesota)
  • Among the female cases: 478 (30%) were African; 460 (29%) African American; 423 (27%) White; 98 (6%) Latina; 51 (3%) American Indian; 37 (2%) Asian Pacific Islander; and 24 (1%) other
  • Among the female cases, 71% were among heterosexuals, 10% injecting drug users (IDU), 3% perinatal, 8% no interview and 8% unspecified

2010 Diagnosed Cases
331 new HIV cases were reported in 2010. Of these cases:

  • 68 (21%) cases were among females
  • Among the female cases, 32% were white,  29% African-born, 24% African American, 7% American Indian, 3% Latina, 3% other and 1% Asian.

Minnesota surveillance reports are available.

For More Information

Office on Women's Health Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW Room 712E
Washington, DC 20201
(202) 690-7650
(202) 205-2631 FAX
Contact: Valerie Scardino
Valerie.scardino@hhs.gov
http://www.womenshealth.gov/owh/campaigns Attention: Non-MDH link

More resources: 

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Updated Monday, 06-Feb-2012 13:43:36 CST