National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

I was inspired by one of my consulting clients to create a groupsite for HIV/AIDS Awareness.  As such, I've learned that there are many communities who try to raise awareness as well.  For example, today - Tuesday, June 8 - is the fifth annual observation of National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, intended to increase awareness about HIV among communities hailing from the Caribbean Islands, one of the most heavily affected regions worldwide.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) tells us that the Caribbean has been more affected by HIV than any region outside sub-Saharan Africa, and has the second highest HIV prevalence among adults (1.0%).

UNAIDS estimates that 19,000 Caribbeans died of AIDS and an additional 250,000 were living with the HIV in 2006. In 2005, there were a reported 38,133 new HIV diagnoses among Caribbean Americans living in the U.S.





For further information about HIV among Caribbean Americans, resources, and events to recognize the day, see the following sites:

- AIDSInfo National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day web site:
http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/other/specialityPage.aspx?pageID=36

- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day web page:
http://www.hhs.gov/aidsawarenessdays/days/caribbeanamerican/index.html

- Caribbean People International Collective:
http://www.caribbeanhealthaidsday.com/

Manic Monday: Shine

The theme for this week's Manic Monday meme is Shine. I would like to shine the light on HIV/AIDS awareness efforts in the Caribbean.

June 8 is Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The National Planning Committee convened by Caribbean People International Collective is the lead for the Day.

HIV/AIDS has devastated the Caribbean, which ranks second only to sub-Saharan Africa for AIDS prevalence. In 2006, the United Nations estimated that 19,000 Caribbeans died of AIDS, and that an additional 250,000 were living with the virus. In 2005, there were a reported 38,133 new HIV diagnoses among Caribbean Americans in the U.S.

There are many ways that you can shine the light in response to HIV/AIDS:

1. get tested for HIV
   
2. practice safer methods to prevent HIV


3. decide not to engage in high risk behaviors


4. talk about HIV prevention with family, friends, and colleagues


5. provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS


6. subscribe to our HIV/AIDS Awareness Day groupsite

I hope that all villagers will take this opportunity to think hard on steps we can each take ... not just in the Caribbean American community ... to prevent HIV/AIDS from its continued devastation. Shine your light!