Las Vegas Third Annual
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Statue of Martin Luther King - corner of Martin Luther King Blvd/Carey Avenue

Members of the Las Vegas HUD office along with others watching speakers

Mobile van unit that provides resources

The third Annual Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day ceremony was held at the corner of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Carey Avenue to promote education, testing, and advocacy for the resources to fight this dreadful disease.

Las Vegas Clark County Health District Office reports that 23% of AIDS cases and 27% of HIV infections are among African Americans. Nationally, AIDS is the leading cause of death among African Americans between the ages of 25-44.

Community leaders such as the Mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman along with Clark County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson-Gates announced to the public that they are committed to building a new AIDS facility in Las Vegas to open sometime in late 2004.

Members of the Las Vegas HUD office along with other local agencies such as Economic Development Board of Clark County, Sista to Sista, Fighting AIDS in our Community Today, Nevada State Mental Health, County Health District, were present to show their commitment to call attention to the HIV/AIDS crisis in Nevada.

During the period of February 7-9, 2003, a mobile unit canvassed the Las Vegas Valley area, providing HIV/AIDS screening, educational materials, and resources available to local residents. Sites included libraries, churches, commercial sites, which cater to young adult populations, and homeless facilities.