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DECEMBER 1 IS WORLD AIDS DAY
(Chambersburg, PA) -- World AIDS Day, established by the World Health Organization in 1988, is observed each year on December 1, to focus attention on the devastating impact of the HIV and AIDS epidemic around the world and the important role that local governments play in preventing and fighting HIV and AIDS. In Franklin and Fulton Counties, the number the individuals who are HIV positive has increased by 29% between 1998 and 2003 according to cases reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, as of June 30, 2004. Based on research reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it is believed that there are many more individuals who do not know they are infected with the virus. “The HIV virus does not discriminate!” said Peg McAllister, Director of Community Outreach at Keystone Health Center in Chambersburg, “In Franklin and Fulton Counties there are people from all walks of life who are living with HIV/AIDS.” According to McAllister, “Every day is World AIDS Day at Keystone Health Center. Keystone is the hub in Franklin and Fulton Counties for this fight every day.” Keystone is the key provider of comprehensive services related to HIV/AIDS in Franklin and Fulton Counties, offering medical treatment, case management, and treatment support to those infected and affected by this devastating disease. These services are provided by professionals who are educated in the HIV/AIDS field. In addition, Keystone Health Center offers testing and counseling for HIV at Keystone Family Practice and through outreach to the community. The testing is free and confidential and open to anyone who wants to be tested. The test method Keystone uses does not require a blood draw, and results are received within days of the test. “It’s important to note that while there is still no cure, with regular healthcare people can live healthy, productive lives,” said McAllister. “There are many myths regarding how individuals contact HIV/AIDS. People need to educate themselves about the facts.” Keystone Health Center offers resources to anyone in the community interested in learning about the disease and how anyone can help to stop the spread of this deadly virus. For information call Keystone’s HIV/AIDS Program at (717) 263-4313, extensions 172, 144, 189, or 158. Keystone Health Center is a public, non-profit Community Health Center providing high-quality family medicine, internal medicine, pediatric, obstetric, gynecological, cardiac, behavioral, and dental health care and, when needed, social services to underserved and vulnerable populations as well as the entire community. At present, Keystone Health Center operates four primary care sites—Keystone Family Practice, Keystone Dental Care, Keystone Women's Care, and Franklin County Pediatrics—and one specialty practice, the Franklin County Heart Center. Keystone also operates one year-round migrant and seasonal farmworker site in Berks County and one seasonal farmworker site in Adams County. Services to migrant farmworkers are also provided through outreach workers and contracted providers across the Commonwealth. For more information regarding Keystone Health Center, please visit the website at www.keystonehealth.org. For more information regarding this news release, please contact Dawn Stinson at (717) 263-2230 x227. ### |
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