World Aids Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the AIDS pandemic and the spread of HIV infection. More importantly, it’s a day to encourage people to get tested.

According to UNAIDS reports, AIDS has killed more than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 and an estimated 33.2 million people worldwide live with HIV.

The good news is that according to a new UNAIDS report, the epidemic has stabilized. Thanks to global HIV prevention efforts, the number of new infections is falling, as are AIDS-related deaths. Overall, 33 countries have seen their infection rate drop by more than 25% between 2001 and 2009.

The Washington State Department of Health reports that as of December 2007, 12,099 people had been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Washington, around 64 percent of whom reside in King County. HIV disease has been a contributing factor in deaths of more than 5,400 people in Washington since the epidemic began.

But statewide, the course of the HIV epidemic has been stable in recent years. Between 2003 and 2007, DOH observed about 570 new HIV diagnoses per year, which is equivalent to 9.3 new cases per 100,000 residents per year.

Most new HIV diagnoses in Washington are in caucasian men. Eighty-four percent of all HIV cases diagnosed between 2003 and 2007 were male. Blacks account for only four percent of the state’s population, but they comprise nearly one in five new HIV cases.

While more than half of all new HIV diagnoses during 2003-2007 occurred among adults ages 35 and older, the proportion of new cases diagnosed below the age of 25 has increased in recent years.

If these statistics say anything, it's to engage in safe sex and get tested.

Please visit the following locations in Ballard to get tested or receive in formation regarding HIV/AIDS care:

Aar Local HIV / STD Testing
1801 NW Market St Ste 106
(800) 639-9769

Seattle Local HIV / STD Testing
5300 TALLMAN AVE NW
(877) 595-7052

Swedish Medical Center
5300 Tallman Ave NW,
(206) 782-2700

For more information on HIV/AID in Washington, please visit http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/hiv.htm