| Updated: 2/07 11:31 am |
Published: 2/07 11:27 am
|
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma State Department of Health is targeting the African-American community for AIDS testing and awareness.
According to the Health Department, African Americans have the highest rate of new HIV/AIDS cases in the state, with a rate nearly five times higher than for other racial or ethnic groups. Of the nearly 5,000 Oklahomans with HIV/AIDS, nearly 1,200 are African Americans.
Jan Fox is chief of the Health Department's HIV and Sexually Transmitted Disease Service. Fox calls the figures a "troubling disparity." The department is observing National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Feb. 7 and is encouraging people to get tested and seek treatment.
The Health Outreach Prevention Education clinic will offer free HIV testing at the clinic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; also at Comanche Park from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and the Dennis Neal Equality Center from 4 to 8 p.m.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
