Mississippi: Do You Know Your HIV Status? Increasing Awareness Among African Americans Is Goal, Experts Say

This week, numerous community-based organizations are working with the Mississippi Department of Health (MDH) to promote Saturday's National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

According to state health officials, the need is great: More than 72 percent of Mississippians living with HIV at the end of 2007 were African American. "Any life is worth saving, but on this day we focus on the group disproportionately impacted," said Juanita Davis, director of STD/HIV prevention at MDH.

Events linked to the awareness day include:

• Through Thursday, Jackson State University (JSU) is offering free rapid HIV testing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Student Center in Ballroom A. Testing is sponsored by the Latasha Norman Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, the HIV/AIDS Project, Project S.A.F.E., MDH and the Mississippi Urban Research Center.
• On Wednesday, the JSU Student Center Theatre will host the 2009 National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Forum. The program begins at 6 p.m. and includes speakers and the one-woman play, "No Name AIDS Girl," starring actress, playwright and JSU graduate Shelia Richardson.
• A town hall meeting with the theme "Black Life Is Worth Saving" will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Jackson Medical Mall Center Stage.
• On Saturday, New Jerusalem Church, 5708 Old Canton Road in Jackson, will hold a workshop from 9 a.m. to noon offering informational sessions and confidential rapid HIV testing; registration is not required.
• My Brother's Keeper Inc. and the 100 Black Women Central Mississippi Chapter are hosting a community Family Day on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the MBK Wellness Center, 500 E. Woodrow Wilson Ave., Bldg. M. Free HIV tests as well as other health screenings will be offered.

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