CSU Students Recognize National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Members of the Chicago State University (CSU) student government association (SGA) recognized National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) last week on Feb. 6. The group, who assembled at the Cordell Reed Student Union building on CSU's campus provided free condoms and literature about HIV/AIDS to students, faculty and other passersby.
CSU pharmacy students were also on hand to discuss the important role that prescription medications plays in managing a life with HIV/AIDS.
According to a Nov. 2014 fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African Americans make up 44% of all new HIV/AIDS infections each year and make up more than one third of all people living with HIV at 41%.
Launched in 1999, NBHAAD is recognized every year on Feb. 7 as a time when all African-Americans should pay close attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its final stage the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) attack the body’s immune system which protects it against infections and diseases. If left untreated, HIV/AIDS can be fatal over time.
“At Chicago State, as part of our responsibility to reach out to students to the students about important things that are going on that effect students. Seeing that it’s National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, it’s important that the students know to get tested, know their status, practice safe sex, etc.,” said CSU SGA Student Clerk Paris Griffin. “It’s just a gathering for students to take HIV/AIDS awareness seriously.”
The City of Chicago offers free HIV/AIDS screening clinics to Chicago residents by appointment only and locations within the Chicago Citizen Newspaper’s coverage area that provide services offered by appointment:
Englewood STI Specialty Clinic, 641 W. 63rd St.
Roseland STI Specialty Clinic, 200 E. 115th St.
For more information about the services provided by City of Chicago health clinics visit http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdph.html.
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