Thomas Street Hosts World AIDS Day
Event promotes HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention
 

More than 200 staff and community supporters gathered Dec. 1 at Thomas Street Health Center to commemorate World AIDS Day. The annual event, hosted by HCHD in collaboration with the City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services, focused local attention on the global epidemic of HIV/AIDS. 

This year’s theme, “Have You Heard Me Today?” centered on women and girls, who globally are more than two times more susceptible to the disease than males. In greater Houston, females represent 26 percent of all HIV/AIDS cases. 

Nurse practitioner Yvette Peters said there has been a significant increase in the number of female patients seen at Thomas Street, which offers specialty services for females.  

Sheila Jackson Lee (L) presents a proclamation to Stephen Williams, Director of Health and Human Services for the city of Houston, and Christa Atkinson.

“The main issues affecting countless women and girls are the lack of knowledge and the misconceptions about contracting the disease,” Peters said. “Many women don’t realize this is as much a heterosexual disease as it a homosexual one.  It’s not only your behavior that matters, but also the risky behavior of your partner.” 

Event highlights included the Tree of Remembrance -- where decorations were placed on a 12-foot holiday tree in memory of loved ones who have died from HIV/AIDS -- and a health and education fair. Local agencies that provide support services to persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS were available to provide information and on-site health screenings for participants. 

Keynote speakers U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and Houston Council Member Ada Edwards urged the public to get informed about the disease. Also attending the event were Alicia Reyes, Community Health Program (CHP) Administrator; Johnnie Stein, CHP Associate Administrator; and Christa Atkinson, Thomas Street Director.