November 30, 2006

December 1st – World AIDS Day
Prevention is the Best Protection

The Nassau County Department of Health continues to offer free and confidential HIV counseling and testing for all residents.

• Once considered a disease of men, HIV/AIDS is a rapidly growing problem among women, particularly women of color. Heterosexual contact has steadily accounted for an increasing proportion of HIV infections among women.



• In Nassau County, through December 31, 2005, there have been over 3900 people reported with AIDS.



• In Nassau County, it is presumed that there are 2,466 people living with HIV/AIDS.



• HIV first became a reportable disease in New York State in June 2000.



• Of Nassau County’s cumulative AIDS cases, 26 percent are women. In 2005, 39% of the new AIDS cases diagnosed were women. This shows how the infection is increasingly occurring among women.

For additional information or to make an appointment, call the Health Department between 9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. at (516) 571-2019.