| The Bristol Mayor’s Task Force on HIV/AIDS/HCV has announced it will commemorate World AIDS Day 2021 in two ways this year. First, members of the Task Force will join with Mayor Jeff Caggiano and interested residents in front of City Hall on December 1 at 5:30 p.m. Participants will hold a red ribbon and speak about HIV/AIDS in the world today while remembering and honoring those who are infected, affected or who have passed due to HIV/AIDS. In addition to this event, on December 1, HIV/AIDS information and red ribbons will be distributed to clients and patients at the Root Center, Wheeler Health, Community Health Center and Bristol Hospital. The United States has declared the theme of this year’s commemoration to be Ending the HIV Epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice. The Task Force reiterates the message from www.hiv.gov that this year marks “40 years since the first five cases of what later became known as AIDS were officially reported and honor the more than 36 million people, including 700,000 in the United States, who have died from AIDS-related illness globally since the start of the epidemic.” The Connecticut Department of Public Health reports the latest statistics (2019) as follows:· 220 new cases of HIV were diagnosed in Connecticut residents (6.2 per 100,000 people). 10,705 people were living with HIV disease in Connecticut (299.5 per 100,000 people). 107 people were living with HIV infection in Bristol. New medications have helped people living with HIV live long lives with low virus counts if they are able to access early treatment and obtain medication and appropriate healthcare. In addition, PrEP, preventative medication, can be taken to prevent infection for people at a high risk of becoming infected. The Bristol Mayor’s Task Force, created in 1991, continues to reach out to the community with a variety of educational programs and an emphasis on prevention and awareness for a broad range of people at risk of infection and helps to provide resources and services for those who are infected and affected. In April, the Task Force’s annual professional development workshop will be offered for medical and social service staff involved in HIV-related care. The Task Force meets monthly at City Hall and its members reflect different aspects of the Bristol community. For those interested in local testing sites, they can be found at: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/AIDS–Chronic-Diseases/Prevention/List-of-HIV-Counseling-and-Testing-Site. For more information about the Mayor’s Task Force, its programs and community projects contact the Task Force through its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/The-City-of-Bristol-Mayors-Task-Force-on-HIVAIDS-107844210671345. — |
World AIDS Day to be commemorated in Bristol
