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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE: July 28th, 2003 WHAT: BEBASHI targets older adults for HIV testing through Agouron Pharmaceutical's Fighting HIV through R&B Campaign. Older adults who gets tested for HIV receives a ticket to the August 1st concert featuring The O Jay's, The Temptations, The Four Tops, and The Whispers. WHO: Today almost 18% of Americans infected with HIV are over age 50. In Philadelphia, this number mirrors national statistics, jumping from 12% to 18.6% in 2002. The increased HIV rate among this age group can be attributed to many providers who do not test for STD's or HIV/AIDS in older patients because of the prevailing myth they are no longer sexually active, and, therefore are not at risk for infection. In fact, increasing evidence indicates older women are particularly susceptible to HIV infection because post-menopausal women may not see the need for condom use when they are no longer at risk for pregnancy. Moreover, older adults know less about HIV/AIDS and STD'S than younger age groups because the elderly have been neglected by those responsible for education and prevention messages. BEBASHI targets older adults by providing free and confidential HIV testing and counseling and through specialized case managers WHEN: Wednesday, July 30th, 2003 10:30am - 12:30pm WHERE:
Older Adults Sunshine Community Center, 137 South 58th Street, Philadelphia,
PA 19139
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