Wayne County, Mich., public health officials, who say too many black women see themselves as immune to HIV/AIDS, have declared June 23-27 AIDS Awareness Week. The health department is especially encouraging African Americans to get tested because of the growing number of women contracting the disease. Statistics in Michigan in 2002 show that black women have the second-highest rate of HIV/AIDS cases, 344 per 100,000. Black men rank first. Statewide, the rates of AIDS-related deaths climbed 11 percent from 1987 to 2001. Among women with AIDS in the United States, nearly two-thirds are African American. For AIDS Awareness Week, the Wayne County Department of Health is offering free counseling and anonymous HIV/AIDS tests from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wayne County Health Center, 33030 Van Born, Wayne.

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