S-Plan (Support, Survival and Success), a wellness-focused mentoring program for African-American and Latino students at Penn State, will host a table at the HUB-Robeson Center on Monday, Feb. 7, to promote National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). Students can stop by the ground floor of the HUB from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for free safer sex supplies.
Statistically, African-Americans and Latinos are at a higher risk for contracting HIV/AIDS. Other high-risk groups for HIV/AIDS include anyone having unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with men who have sex with men, multiple partners, or anonymous partners. Individuals who share needles to inject drugs or steroids are also at higher risk, as are victims of sexual assault. Individuals having unprotected sex with anyone in a high-risk group should be tested as well.
University Health Services (UHS) offers free and confidential HIV/AIDS testing through the Health Promotion and Wellness office. This is a blood draw program, funded by the PA Department of Health. Pre- and post-test counseling is administered by trained peer interventionists.
To make an appointment for free HIV/AIDS testing, students can call 814-863-0461 or stop by 201 Student Health Center. For additional information HIV/AIDS testing options available to Penn State students, visit the UHS website at http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/wellness/hivtesting.cfm.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was started in 1999 as a national HIV testing and treatment community mobilization initiative targeting African-Americans in the United States. The four focuses of NBHAAD are education, testing, involvement and treatment. The 2011 NBHAAD theme is "It takes a village to fight HIV/AIDS."
S-Plan promotes the mental and physical health of African-American and Latino students. The program assists new students with their adjustment to University Park by helping them manage stress they may experience in their first year. To learn more about this program and other S-Plan services, e-mail promotinghealth@psu.edu or visit http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/wellness/sPlan.shtml.
For additional information about National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, visit www.blackaidsday.org.