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News

Free AIDS tests available at UH Health Center today

by Chi Chi Nwaorie
The Daily Cougar

The UH Health Center will offer free confidential HIV testing for all students, faculty and staff from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today in observance of World AIDS Day.

"HIV/AIDS is still around, and it is more important than ever to get tested and protect yourself. The Health Center is concerned about our campus community and we want to help educate all its members," Laura Moore, head nurse at the Health Center, said.

After counseling staff draw the student's blood for the HIV test, students are then asked to return and meet with a counselor for the results beginning Tuesday.

Students will be able to ask Health Center staff questions about HIV virus and how to protect themselves. 

The center will also have several handouts and brochures on HIV available for students getting tested.

Moore is expecting the number of people getting tested to increase this year. More than 200 people were tested last year on World AIDS Day.

Staff members are concerned with creating awareness among students and eliminating any stigma that may be associated with getting tested.

"It is powerful when you walk in a room and see 40 or 50 other people waiting to get tested like you. I would hope it would also provide an opportunity for education on HIV/AIDS," Moore said.

According to the World AIDS Day Web site, approximately 40 million people around the world are living with HIV, yet only 1.3 million people have access to treatment. 

World AIDS Day, originally organized by UNAIDS in 1988, gives people an opportunity to raise money, improve education, increase awareness and fight prejudices about HIV/AIDS. In 2005, UNAIDS transferred responsibility of the event to the World AIDS Campaign.

WAC's theme for this year is "Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise -- Accountability." The theme will encourage citizens across the globe to hold their political leaders accountable to the "All by 2010," a program trying to make antiretroviral medication as globally available as possible by 2010. 

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