Douglas County agency to raise awareness about toll of AIDS on black Americans, offer free HIV testing

The Douglas County AIDS Project is raising awareness of these alarming statistics:

• More blacks are living with the HIV virus in America than in Botswana, Ethiopia, Guyana, Haiti, Namibia, Rwanda and Vietnam.

• Blacks represent 13 percent of the U.S. population, but 51 percent of all new HIV cases in the country.

• AIDS is the No. 1 killer of black women ages 25 to 34.

To commemorate National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Feb. 7, DCAP will provide free HIV testing clinics and information:

• Feb. 5, 10 a.m. -2 p.m., Kansas University Union.

• Feb. 6, 9:30 a.m.- 1 p.m., Lawrence Public Library gallery, 707 Vt.

In addition, DCAP provides free HIV testing by appointment weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the United Way building, 2518 Ridge Court, Suite 101.

For more information, call 843-0040 or visit the agency’s Web site.