Monday, June 29, 2009

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services on Saturday began promoting HIV Testing Week, which runs through July 4, to encourage more residents to get tested, the Columbus Telegram reports. Some testing sites across the state will expand their hours or make other accommodations over the next week as part of the effort. One in three people living in Nebraska with HIV/AIDS is unaware of their status, according to state health officials (Ortiz, Columbus Telegram, 6/27). Nakiea Boetger of the Nebraska AIDS Project said among the challenges in raising HIV awareness in the state is addressing the misconception that rural communities are not affected by HIV/AIDS (AP/Action 3 News, 6/27). In related news, ABC News' "Campus Chatter" blog examined HIV prevention efforts by organizations in Austin, Texas (Olivares, "Campus Chatter," ABC News, 6/26).