Editor's Notebook: On World AIDS Day, Knowledge is Power

For me, Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, is a time to remember lessons I learned over two years while I was a Peace Corps volunteer in the tiny Southern African nation of Swaziland.

Swaziland has the highest percentage of HIV-positive people in the world. Over a quarter of the adult population lives with the virus. My experience there - I knew people who passed away and children who were left parentless - means I am acutely aware of the issues surrounding HIV. I'm aware of the consequences of ignoring this virus. But many in the United States are not.

Young people ages 13 to 24 account for 26 percent of all new HIV infections in the U.S., but more than half of young people who are infected with HIV are not aware of it, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control.

Someone who does not know they are infected can appear healthy for over ten years, with no hint they are carrying the virus. Since they don't know they are infected, they don't realize they need to use protection with their sexual partners. And so the virus spreads.

Every month, 1,000 young people in America become infected with HIV, according to CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden.

My message this World AIDS Day is this: remember that anyone can become infected. The virus does not care if you're young or old, rich or poor, gay or straight, black or white. All it takes is one sexual encounter or one shared needle. Use protection, every time. Talk with your partner about using protection before things get too hot and heavy. Get tested, or re-tested, and ask your partner to test with you. Knowledge is power.

Want to learn more? Visit http://www.avert.org/

For free, confidential HIV testing, contact your nearest Counseling, Testing and Referral Site: 
* indicates site offers Hepatitis C screening & Hepatitis A&B Immunizations to at-risk adults.

AIDS Project of Central Iowa*
711 E. 2nd Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 284-0245

Black Hawk County Health Department*
1407 Independence Avenue, 5th Floor
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 291-2413

Central Iowa Family Planning
704 May Street, PO Box 1146
Marshalltown, IA 50158
(641) 752-7159

Cerro Gordo County Health Department*
22 North Georgia, Suite 300
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-9320

Council Bluffs City Health Department*
209 Pearl Street
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 328-4666

Des Moines County Health Department*
522 North 3rd Street
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-8290

ICARE - MECCA*
430 Southgate Avenue
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 351-4357, ext. 164

Iowa City Free Medical Clinic*
2440 Towncrest Drive
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 337-4459

Iowa State University
Thielen Student Health Center
Ames, IA 50011-2260
(515) 294-2194

Johnson Co. Public Health HIV Annex*
320 Kirkwood Avenue, Suite B
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 356-603

Linn County Health Department*
501 13th Street, N.W.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
(319) 892-6000

Polk County Health Department*
1907 Carpenter
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 286-3798

Scott County Health Department
428 Western Avenue, 4th Floor
Davenport, IA 52801
(563) 326-8618

Siouxland Community Health Center*
1021 Nebraska Street
Sioux City, IA 51102
(712) 202-1027

Siouxland District Health Department*
1014 Nebraska Street
Sioux City, IA 51105
(712) 279-6119

Unity Health Care - Unity Public Health
1609 Cedar Street
Muscatine, IA 52761
(563) 263-0122

Visiting Nurses Association*
1454 Iowa Street
Dubuque, IA 52004-0359
(563) 556-6200 or (800) 862-6133

Webster County Public Health
330 First Ave., North, Ste. L2
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
(515) 573-4107

Winneshiek Medical Center
901 Montgomery Street
Decorah, IA 52101
(563) 382-9671