World AIDS Day is Dec. 1: Candlelight Vigil in Dupont Circle
The annual World AIDS Day candlelight vigil is Thursday, Dec. 1 in Dupont Circle. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Mike Kohn. Got some news for Mike? Find him on Twitter @mike_kohn or drop him a line at[email protected].
Whitman-Walker Health plans to celebrate World AIDS Day in DC with its annual candelight vigil held in Dupont Circle at 6 pm this Thursday, Dec. 1.
In addition to the vigil, WWH will be offering free and confidential HIV testing on Dec. 1 at its Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center at 14th and R Streets NW between 9 am and 5 pm. The tests will also be offered from the mobile testing vehicle during the vigil.
WWH now offers a wide range of medical services and accepts insurance.
HIV in DC: 3.2 percent of adults in DC have been diagnosed with HIV. An additional 2 to 3% are believed to be infected but have never been diagnosed. This means about one in every 20 adults in DC has HIV – WWH.
Wednesday Benefit for WWH
On Wednesday, Nov. 30, Kimpton Hotels is hosting their annual “Red Hot Night in the Nation’s Capital” event to benefit WWH. The event is at Urbana Restaurant & Wine Bar, 2121 P Street NW, 6 to 8 pm; $10 donation at door.
Read more from the Washington Blade, including information on other DC events happening this week to commemorate World AIDS Day.
By the Numbers: HIV in DC
- According to WWH, 3.2 percent of adults in DC have been diagnosed with HIV. An additional 2% to 3% are believed to be infected but have never been diagnosed. This means about one in every 20 adults in DC has HIV.
- African-Americans account for three-fourths of all HIV/AIDS cases in DC.
- One in seven gay or bisexual men in DC has HIV. One in three black gay or bisexual men in DC has HIV.
- The Washington City Paper City Desk had an article in June, citing numbers of HIV-AIDS in DC and the current status of new infections and people getting treatment — it’s a very good quick read.
- According to a March 2010 article in The Washington Post, a DC government study showed that 14% of gay men in DC are HIV positive.
- In March 2009, two years ago The Washington Post looked at HIV-AIDS numbers in DC, which show that it is still a huge health problem in DC, with the city having one of the highest infection rates in the country — 3% of the population, in fact.
