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RSSCDPH Partners with Commuity Organizations for National Latino AIDS Awareness Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Quenjana Adams, 312-747-9599
quenjana.adams@cityofchicago.org
CHICAGO – In recognition of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) on October 15, 2012, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is sponsoring two community-wide events to remind Chicagoans of the importance of HIV/AIDS prevention, testing and treatment.
Chicago’s Latino population accounts for 17 percent of the city’s reported cases of HIV. Although the number of new infections is steadily decreasing, there are still nearly 200 new diagnoses of HIV in Chicago's Latino community a year.
“Our goal is to make Chicago the healthiest city in the nation,” said Chicago Public Health Commissioner Dr. Bechara Choucair. “HIV prevention is a top priority in reaching that goal. Through education, outreach and making the best preventative care accessible to every resident, we are combating the issue and empowering this city to better health.”
On October 13, CDPH is sponsoring a wellness fair at Piotrowski Park, 4247 W. 31st Street in Chicago. The fair will be hosted by the Little Village Chamber of Commerce and will include free HIV testing, in addition to a variety of other health screenings such as cholesterol, glucose, BMI and blood pressure tests.
Also, CDPH’s Chicago Community Condom Project will be on hand to distribute free condoms at the event. The Chicago Community Condom Project works with city clinics, community organizations and local businesses to make condoms widely available to the public to help stop HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
For National Latino AIDS Awareness Day on Oct. 15, CDPH is teaming up with Power 92 and CALOR for a community health fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 5038 W. Armitage. Health services that will be available at the fair include:
- Free rapid HIV testing – results in 20 minutes
- HIV treatment resources
- Free rapid hepatitis C testing
- Free syphilis testing
- Free cholesterol screenings
- Free blood pressure screenings
- Free BMI screenings
- Free blood glucose screenings
- Free immunizations for children – parents must bring the child’s shot records
- Immunizations for adults: flu shots, pneumonia and Tdap. Administered by Walgreens, flu shots are $25.99 for adults and are complimentary for the first 25 people.
For more information, visit www.CityofChicago.org/Health.
