WPCNR PERSONAL. From County Legislator Judy Myers. (Edited) November 28, 2006: Dr. Joshua Lipsman, Commissioner of The County Department of Health informed the County Board Family, Health and Human Services Committee last week in a series of meetings that Westchester County has the highest number of AIDS cases among the state's 57 counties, and the fourth highest HIV case rate out of all of the counties in New York, outside of New York City. In response, the County Board of Legislators passed a resolution urging all residents to be tested for AIDS without charge Friday in White Plains.
County Legislator Judy Myers (D,I,WF- Larchmont), Chair of the Family, Health and Human Services Committee, encourages county residents to get an HIV test -- which will be offerred without charge at the County Office Building in White Plains at 85 Court Street 9:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. Through testing, she said, research shows that risky behavior and the possible spread of the disease can be reduced by 50% if HIV infection is discovered, life saving medications can be administered early, when treatment is more effective and contagion can be lowered. WPCNR Photo Capture from Westchestergov.com
The free, confidential HIV tests will be available this Friday, December 1, World AIDS Day, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in front of the County Office Building at 85 Court Street in White Plains. This initiative is available free of charge to the public in an effort to raise awareness of the benefits of early detection of HIV. Given the high number of AIDS and HIV cases in Westchester County, the county wants to encourage our residents to act responsibly and get themselves tested to prevent the further spread of this incurable disease.
The free HIV tests will be provided by the mobile HIV testing unit from the Westchester Medical Center, in their 56 foot Winnebago. The tests are conducted with an oral swab, and the results are available in twenty minutes. Personal information and test results will be confidential. Due to this new form of oral testing there is no need to draw blood, making it easier for those who fear needles to get the test, and it allows for faster results.
Legislator Myers introduced the following resolution which was passed by the Board of Legislators Monday evening:
World AIDS Day Resolution
December 1, 2006
Whereas,
Of the 57 counties in New York State, excluding New York City, Westchester County has the 2nd highest AIDS case rate, the 4th highest HIV case rate and the most people living with HIV and AIDS in New York State; and
Whereas,
Nationwide, there are an estimated 1.2 million Americans living with HIV and AIDS, 25% of whom are unaware that they are HIV-infected and may be spreading the virus unknowingly; and
Whereas,
Testing for HIV is a life-saving action that individuals can take to learn about their HIV status, to increase awareness and to reduce the conduct of behaviors that are conducive to transmission of the virus, and to seek medical treatment that can help prolong and increase the quality of life among infected persons; and
Whereas,
HIV and AIDS continue to have devastating consequences for the health, well-being and quality of life of infected individuals and affected communities worldwide and in our communities in Westchester County; now therefore be it
Resolved,
That the Westchester County Board of Legislators recognizes this 1st day of December 2006 as World AIDS Day in Westchester County in order to raise awareness of the impact of HIV and AIDS in Westchester communities, in New York State and worldwide; and be it further
Resolved,
That the Board urges all residents of Westchester County to get the test for HIV to help stem the tide of the HIV epidemic in our communities.
Note: Editor's Note: At the end of 2003, there were 4,878 cases of AIDS in Westchester County. In a survey at the close of September, 2005, 40% of the persons living with AIDS in Westchester were women. Women also accounted for 35% of the cases of HIV and AIDS in the Lower Hudson Valley. The latest count of cases of AIDS in the county was not provided by the news release sent WPCNR by Ms. Myers office.
