Charlotte, NC – On Thursday, February 7, the Mecklenburg County Health Department, in partnership with local community-based organizations, will participate in recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

This day is designated each year to raise awareness of the brutal toll HIV/AIDS continues to inflict on African-American communities across the United States. The National Institute of Health reports that while African-Americans account for only 13 percent of the nation's population, in 2005, they represented close to 50 percent of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses.

In Mecklenburg County, where African-Americans make up 31percent of the population, most recent statistics show that this group accounts for 69 percent of all cases of HIV/AIDS.

"The primary goal of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is to motivate African-Americans to get tested and know their HIV status, get educated about the transmission modes of the disease, and get treated if they are currently living with HIV or are newly diagnosed," said Dr. Stephen Keener, medical director for the Health Department. "It is an opportunity to get involved and make a difference."

The Mecklenburg County Health Department always offers free, confidential testing at two locations, 2845 Beatties Ford Road and 249 Billingsley Road. Walk-ins are accepted or appointments can be made by calling our appointment line at (704) 336-6500.

Other alternatives and special times for testing this week include:

• Thursday, Feb.7, from 9 a.m.- noon, at Urban Ministries, 945 N. College St.
• Friday, Feb. 8, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., at Metrolina AIDS Project, 127 Scaleybark Rd.

Residents with questions can also access the testing hotline at (704) 432-TEST seven days a week from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. The Health Department also offers HIV/STD education, HIV case management and an HIV early intervention clinic. For more information on these services, contact Brian Witt at (704) 618-0591.