Facing Facts: The Red Pump Project

Today, March 10, is National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. I am so proud to be joining a growing list of bloggers who are today, taking the time to discuss the importance of being educated about HIV/AIDS, especially when it comes to women, as part of The Red Pump Project.

Created by bloggers Karyn of The Fabulous Giver and Luvvie of Awesomely Luvvie, The Red Pump Project was created "to represent the strength and courage of women fighting HIV/AIDS or affected by the disease both directly and indirectly. We ask that on that day (March 10th), you embed the Red Pump Widget within your post with a short snippet of its significance, or you can rock the widget on your sidebar for the day."

Here are the facts:
HIV/AIDS & Minority Women
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HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects minority women in the United States. According to the 2005 census, Black and Latina women represent 24% of all US women combined, but account for 82% of the estimated total of AIDS diagnoses for women in 2005.

HIV is:
*the leading cause of death for black women (including African American women) aged 25–34 years.
*the 3rd leading cause of death for black women aged 35–44 years.
*the 4th leading cause of death for black women aged 45–54 years.
*the 4th leading cause of death for Latina women aged 35–44 years.
*The only diseases causing more deaths of women were cancer and heart disease
*The rate of AIDS diagnosis for black women was approximately 23 times the rate for white women and 4 times the rate for Latina women
*In 2006, teen girls represented 39% of AIDS cases reported among 13–19 year-olds. Black teens represented 69% of cases reported among 13–19 year-olds; Latino teens represented 19%
Ladies, we have to take responsibilities for our own health. The first step? Get tested! You can find the testing center nearest to you at HIVtest.org. Knowing your status is the first step. Don't be scared to ask your partner if he/she knows their status. If they don't, encourage them to take a test ASAP. And please, use protection EVERY.TIME.YOU.HAVE.SEX!

Bravo to Karyn and Luvvie for creating what I have a huge feeling is going to definitely be a major movement across the U.S. There are already some Rock The Red Pump events scheduled for Chicago and Kansas City. I'm sure there will be more happening across the US in the coming weeks!

statistics courtesy The Center For Disease Control