Georgia: Women's Health Symposium Takes AIM at AIDS, More

HIV education and prevention took a prominent role Saturday at a women's free health symposium in this central Georgia city. It was the first of four planned community events, funded with a $60,000 grant from the Peyton Anderson Foundation, that will address major issues in women's health.

In addition to HIV/AIDS, the event offered information and health services relating to cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

"Women have a tendency to take care of everybody else in the family first," said Linda Holland, nurse manager of the Macon-Bibb County Health Department.

By mid-afternoon, about 100 people had taken advantage of massages, condoms, and other giveaways. One booth offered free cheek-swab HIV testing, instructing users that results would be available in about one week.

"I've never been tested for AIDS before," said Macon resident Joyce Collins, who was there with her 19-year-old foster daughter and two-year-old foster grandson. "Everybody should take advantage of it."

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