PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND RECOGNIZES NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY

PPSNE is helping raise awareness in New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut for HIV/AIDS epidemic among African Americans.

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) recognizes National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day this Friday, February 7, 2014, by underscoring the continued impact of HIV/AIDS on African Americans in Connecticut, Rhode Island and nationwide.

African Americans are among the most harmed by HIV in our country as an estimated 1 in 16 black men and 1 in 32 black women will be diagnosed with HIV infection in their lifetime. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, African Americans account for almost half of all HIV infections in the United States.

"National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in the African-American community and unite in the fight to increase access to health care for all Americans," said Judy Tabar President & CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. "Many people in Black communities are deeply affected by a lack of access to health care and educational services. Although we have made progress against this disease, there is still much to be done."

In recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day PPSNE is supporting our community partners’ efforts to educate and raise awareness on HIV/AIDS. These events will offer free STD and HIV testing and the convenience to sign-up for new health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

Under Obamacare, preventive health care services, like HIV testing, is covered without a co-pay. Additionally, no one can be denied coverage or charged more because of pre-existing conditions like being HIV-positive.

"Planned Parenthood of Southern New England knows firsthand why it is so critical that everyone has access to a wide range of preventive health care services. We are proud to help more people access a wide range of critical preventive health care services, including HIV testing," Tabar said.

Planned Parenthood is among the nation’s leading providers of HIV testing. In 2012, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England provided more than 16,500 HIV tests in the Connecticut and Rhode Island — including rapid HIV testing. Last year Planned Parenthood conducted close to 700,000 HIV tests nationally.

For more information, visit ppsne.org

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