Mayor Proclaims National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Goose Creek Mayor Michael Heitzler signed a proclamation declaring February 7 “National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day” in the City of Goose Creek.  Mayor Heitzler met with representatives of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Goose Creek Branch and Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church HIV/AIDS Ministry to sign the proclamation, which draws attention to the importance of education, getting tested, getting involved and getting treatment for those affected by HIV/AIDS.  National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is directed, planned and strategically overseen by Healthy Black Communities, Inc. an international community based organization dedicated to mobilize community based organizations and stakeholders involved in HIV and AIDS education, prevention, care and treatment.  African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV of all racial/ethnic groups in the United States and 73% of people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in South Carolina are African-American.  African-Americans have a HIV/AIDS case rate six times greater than whites in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties. The Goose Creek NAACP Branch, Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church HIV/AIDS Ministry, Lowcountry AIDS Services and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) are hosting community events including free testing to recognize this day and its importance to African Americans and all concerned citizens