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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today urged Illinoisans to join the global effort to stop the spread of HIV infection by supporting awareness and testing, and facilitating access to education and quality healthcare on World AIDS Day.
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"There has been tremendous, groundbreaking work done worldwide to educate the public in the effort to prevent the further transmission of HIV," said IDPH Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. "But as we observe the 24th World AIDS Day, the work continues, globally and locally, to reach our goal of zero AIDS-related deaths."
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Illinois has the 7th highest number of diagnosed HIV infections, and is 5th nationwide in the estimated number of AIDS cases. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS estimates that 34 million people are with HIV worldwide. As a result, the theme for the 2012 World AIDS Day - observed every Dec. 1 since 1988 - is "Getting to Zero."
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IDPH hosted a daylong World AIDS Day event at Chatham 14 Theaters, 210 W. 87th St., Chicago. IDPH provided free and confidential HIV and Hepatitis C testing from its "Wellness on Wheels" mobile van, held panel discussions on HIV/AIDS care, and screened the critically acclaimed film "Endgame: AIDS in Black America." More than a dozen area HIV/AIDS organizations also participated, providing resources and outreach for attendees of the event, which was free and open to the public.
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Joined by Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.), State Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago), Illinois Lottery Deputy Superintendent Victor Golden, and representatives from the South Side HIV/AIDS Regional Planning Council (SHARP) and West Side HIV/AIDS Regional Planning Council (WHARP), IDPH also awarded 16 Quality of Life Fund grants to organizations providing HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and support services. Proceeds from the Illinois Lottery's "Red Ribbon Cash" scratch-off game are used to fund Quality of Life grants.
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Dr. Hasbrouck also presented a proclamation on behalf of Governor Pat Quinn, commemorating World AIDS Day and ordering that the lights atop the Illinois State Capitol dome, and at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago be dimmed during the evening hours to coincide with the dimming of the lights at the White House in tribute to those infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS.
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IDPH sponsors several groundbreaking programs and funds many organizations statewide that aim to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, as well as providing access to healthcare services for those living with the disease, including an HIV/AIDS and STD hotline: 1-800-AID-AIDS (1-800-243-2437).
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Other IDPH programs include:
- AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) – Serving more than 4,100 low-income persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS per month access life-saving anti-retroviral drugs.
- BASUAH – Brothers and Sisters United Against HIV/AIDS program promotes HIV/AIDS awareness among communities of color, which are disproportionately impacted by the disease, through education, collaboration and community engagement. Visit basuah.illinois.gov for more information.
- Text 2 Survive – Allows public to find free testing sites and health events via mobile phone by texting "EVENT", "IL" or "ALERT" plus 5-digit ZIP Code to 36363. Spanish speakers can text "CENTRO" plus 5-digit ZIP Code to 36363.
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