What is World AIDS Day?
Since 1988, World AIDS Day is held on the 1st December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.
Ending the Epidemic
New York State Governor, Andrew Cuomo in conjunction with the NYS Department of Health has pledged to end the AIDS epidemic by 2020 with this three-point plan.
- Identifies persons with HIV who remain undiagnosed and link them to health care.
- Links and retains persons diagnosed with HIV in health care to maximize virus suppression so they remain healthy and prevent further transmission.
- Facilitates access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for high-risk persons to keep them HIV negative
This plan will move from New York having a history of the worst HIV epidemic in the country, to a future with those infected with HIV, a rarity or those living with the disease to have a normal lifespan.
How Can You Show Support?
World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show support to and solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV. Wearing a red ribbon is one simple way to do this
Also, if you live in the Capital Region and want to participate in World AIDS Day events, come to the Empire State Convention Center for their Healthy Living Expo on the Tuesday, December 6th from 9am – 5pm. Various organizations that specialize in HIV/AIDS services will be there with information and on-site testing. Whitney Young Health will also be there with information on our services and how you can get free and confidential testing with us. So stop by!
What Whitney Young Health Offers
If you or someone you know wants to know their status, Whitney Young Health’s Community Prevention and Treatment Services (CPTS) does offer FREE and CONFIDENTAL HIV testing Monday through Friday 8am – 2:30pm at our Albany Health Center. Take a look at our other HIV services through Project UP-Beat below:
We now also offer PrEP! PrEP is a pill taken every day for 30 days that can help prevent HIV infection in people who DO NOT have HIV. Make appointment with Sue Johnson, our PrEP Specialist, to learn more about it and to take charge of your health.