Florida AIDS Action
PO Box 16705 · Tampa FL 33687
813-232-5886 · 813-232-0857 fax

For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Mary Ann T. Green, 813-974-4892/ mgreen@floridaaidsaction.org

FLAA EXCLAIMS: "TAKE THE TEST, TAKE CONTROL"

Tampa, FL - Florida AIDS Action (FLAA) is pleased to announce the agency's support of National HIV Testing Day, a program of the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), set for Friday, June 27th, 2003.

First held on June 27, 1995, National HIV Testing Day was created to reach the millions of men, women and children around the nation at-risk for HIV infection. Since the beginning NAPWA's message has been simple - Take the Test, Take Control.

"This is a case where knowledge truly is power. Nearly one million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS and approximately one-third of these HIV positive individuals are unaware of their positive status - thus placing themselves and their loved ones at additional and unnecessary risk," explains FLAA Executive Director Dr. Gene Copello. "Taking the test is taking control - of your future."

According to NAPWA and statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
· Nearly 2/3rds of all women with AIDS are African-American
· 47% of all new AIDS cases in 2000 were among African-Americans
· Latinos represent 13% of the US population and 18% of all AIDS cases
· ½ of all new HIV infections occur in persons under 25 years of age
· More than 42% of new HIV infections in the US occur among men who have sex with men (MSM), men of all races, ages, socio-economic and geographic areas including gay, bisexual and non-gay men who have sex with other men
· Women account for 25% of newly reported AIDS cases and 30% of new HIV infections

"Participation in the 9th annual National HIV Testing Day makes it possible for ever expanding numbers of folks in our communities to become aware of their HIV status which is exactly the knowledge they need to take control of their health and their lives," details FLAA Board President Marylin Merida. "By working together, we can make a difference in our communities."

For more information on National HIV Testing Day, please contact NAPWA at 202-898-0414 or www.napwa.org
To become involved in AIDS advocacy work, contact Florida AIDS Action at 813-232-5886, or by email at: information@floridaaidsaction.org .

Florida AIDS Action, the only statewide nonprofit agency in Florida, promotes social change through community planning, education, public policy research and advocacy. The agency is committed to addressing healthcare policy issues regionally, nationally, and globally. For more information, call (813) 232-5886, or visit on the web at www.floridaaidsaction.org .