Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - June 24, 2004
ATLANTA, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Today a new social marketing campaign, branded P.A.U.S.E., is being unveiled to address the growing HIV epidemic in Georgia. P.A.U.S.E. is an extensive statewide campaign Promoting Awareness of HIV Using Safer Sex Education and it is being launched to coincide with National HIV Testing Day events taking place this weekend. The goal of P.A.U.S.E. is to provide free HIV testing, counseling, education and increased awareness about the disease.
HIV/AIDS is spreading through many states at astounding rates. Georgia is no exception. In fact, Georgia now ranks eighth in the highest number of AIDS cases in the United States, and Atlanta ranks tenth in the nation among metropolitan areas for number of AIDS cases.
The P.A.U.S.E. Campaign encourages people to "PAUSE and get tested" and was developed in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic that continues to be a major health crisis facing the African-American community throughout the United States and Georgia. African-Americans comprise approximately 12 percent of the population but account for more than half of all new HIV diagnoses each year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) documented the rate of AIDS cases among African-Americans to be nine times higher than the rate for Caucasians and three times higher than the rate for Hispanics.
"We must confront the powerful emotions regarding sexuality, drug and alcohol abuse and other behaviors that put a person at risk for HIV/AIDS. We have to address the risks, rather than run from them," said Dr. Pradnya Tambe, medical director for the Communicable Disease Prevention Branch, Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness. "The long-term mission of the P.A.U.S.E. campaign is to reduce the number of people who become infected with HIV, specifically African-American men who have sex with men, and the number of lives lost to HIV/AIDS in Georgia. People need to P.A.U.S.E. and think about HIV/AIDS and get tested."
Addressing an Important Population
Men who have sex with men (MSM) comprise the greatest percentage of AIDS cases in the country, as well as in Georgia. African-American men who have sex with men (AAMSM) have been disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. As a matter of fact, according to the CDC, the percentage of AIDS cases among African-American men has more than doubled since 1987.
"HIV education and prevention programs, like P.A.U.S.E., are critical to reducing the epidemic among African-Americans. HIV and AIDS are serious health issues that must be addressed in each city, each community, each household," said Malik Williams, program coordinator, AID Atlanta. "The first, and most important, step is HIV testing. If you are an African- American man who has sex with men, you need to get tested now and practice safer sex. Or, if you care about an African-American man, who you suspect is having sex with men, encourage him to get tested."
Reaching Out with P.A.U.S.E.
In order to reach the growing and diverse audience of MSM in Georgia, the P.A.U.S.E. campaign will include an integrated advertising and public relations program - including billboard, print and radio advertising and print and television news coverage aimed at African-American males ages 18-39.
The P.A.U.S.E. campaign will be launched locally to the six health districts of Georgia that represent the highest rate of AIDS cases, specifically: Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Columbus, Macon and Savannah. It is being launched in partnership with the CDC, Georgia Department of Human Resources, AID Atlanta and other community leaders and AIDS service organizations around the state including the Morehouse School of Medicine, Project Azuka and My Brothaz H.O.M.E., Inc.
Testing events
Free testing and counseling is being conducted:
Monday, June 21 through Thursday, June 24 - 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Rapid HIV Testing - Sponsored by AID Atlanta
AID Atlanta
1438 West Peachtree Street, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA
404-808-7700
Thursday and Friday, June 24 and 25 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Thursday-Keynote Speaker-Sheriff Thomas Brown
T.O. Vinson Health Center Auditorium
440 Winn Way
Decatur, GA 30030
404-294-3762
Friday, June 25 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Richardson Health Center
445 Winn Way
Decatur, GA
404-294-3762
Friday, June 25 - 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Rapid HIV Testing
Sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women, Fulton County Health Department, and Our Common Welfare, and in conjunction with Chauncy Robinson Youth Foundation, The Mall West End, Georgia AIDS Coalition, Mother's Voices Georgia Chapter, Abbott Pharmaceuticals, DaVito's Pizza, Coca Cola, V-103, and AID Atlanta, Inc.
West End Mall
850 Oak St. SW
Atlanta, GA 30310
404-755-1001
Friday, June 25 - 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Sponsored by the Consulate General of Mexico
Consulate General of Mexico
2600 Apple Valley Road
Atlanta, GA 30319
404-266-2233 ext.228
Saturday, June 26 - 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
OraSure Testing (No blood drawn)
National AIDS Education & Services for Minorities (NAESM)
Main Street Barber Shop
3260-A S. Cobb Dr.
Smyrna, GA
Important HIV Testing Information
For more information about free, discreet HIV testing and counseling,
please call 1-800-551-2728.
SOURCE Georgia Department of Human Resources
040624
PR040639
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