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HIV Testing Week in L.A. County Starts Today With Event at Rose Bowl
Photo of an HIV/AIDS blood test by SimplyAvoir via Flickr
This month marks 30 years since the Centers for Disease Control published its first mention of AIDS, and today marks the start of HIV Testing Week in Los Angeles County. A county-wide effort is underway to make HIV testing as easy and convenient as possible for residents. Mobile HIV testing units will be at a variety of locations ranging from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena today from Noon to 4 p.m. to nightclubs, parks and community centers throughout the week, concluding July 2.
The Erase Doubt campaign provided some statistics about HIV in L.A. County:
- It is estimated that just over half of all new sexually transmitted HIV infections are spread by people who have it and don't know it
- 7 out of 10 people living with HIV/AIDS in LA County are gay or bisexual men
- It is estimated that transgender individuals have the highest rate of HIV infection among any other group in LA County
- African-Americans make up 9.8% of LA County's population, but account for 22% of living HIV/AIDS cases
- Latinos make up the largest number of people living with AIDS of any racial and ethnic group in LA County
- 70% of women living with AIDS in LA County got HIV through heterosexual contact
A full schedule of testing events and locations is available via Erase Doubt.
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