It's been 30 years since the discovery of the AIDS virus in the United States, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the South includes the largest number of people in this country living with or dying from HIV/AIDS.

Four out of ten (40%) Americans living with AIDS reside in the South.

In Mecklenburg County, an average of seven new HIV/AIDS cases is reported daily, according to The Regional AIDS Interfaith Network, or RAIN. Most of those cases affect African Americans.

African Americans are disproportionately impacted by HIV. African Americans comprise 68% of all new reported HIV cases in 2007, despite representing only 28% of the county's total population

From 1999 to 2007 HIV cases increased by 57%

Mecklenburg County has the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases in North Carolina

North Carolina was ranked 8th out of the top 15 states with new AIDS cases among African Americans

That's why today, which is World AIDS Day, is such a red letter day.
Mecklenburg County HIV/AIDS Council has a host of events schedule for World AIDS Day, as well as free testing centers.

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