Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health & Human Services and Partners Sponsor Documentary Screening for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services, along with St. Luke United Methodist Church, the University of Missouri Black Men's Initiative, Shiloh Christian Worship Center, United Community Cathedral, Spectrum Healthcare and United Community Builders, invite the public to attend a free screening of Out of Control: The AIDS Epidemic in Black America, on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 12:30 p.m.  The screening will be held at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 204 E. Ash St. All community members are welcome to attend.

The one-hour documentary, produced by Peter Jennings and ABC News, focuses on the issue of AIDS affecting African-Americans. A free meal and discussion will follow. Free rapid HIV testing will also be provided.  

While African-Americans represent approximately 12 percent of the population in the United States, they account for more new HIV diagnoses (44 percent) and more people living with HIV (41 percent) than any other racial/ethnic group. The screening and discussion hopes to address why the rate of HIV is so high among this population and what can be done to decrease these numbers.  National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is Feb. 7. In addition to normal testing days, there will be free rapid HIV testing all day on Feb. 7 at the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services.