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Open forum held in Utica for National Black HIV and AIDS Awareness Day

By HILARY LANE

Story Created: Feb 7, 2013 at 5:54 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 7, 2013 at 6:15 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Thursday marks National Black HIV and AIDS Awareness Day and to raise awareness, the AIDS Community Resource Center of Utica held an open forum at the Kennedy Plaza Apartments.

Black Americans account for 44 percent of all new cases, but make up 12 percent of the population.

The goal of Thursday's event was to discuss the impact of the disease on local communities and to encourage all residents to get tested.

"We have confidential testing, so you can come to our office any time, (at) 401 Columbia Street and it is completely confidential and private," said Melissa Camman of AIDS Community Resource Center.

Of the HIV positive people served by the AIDS Community Resource Center of Utica, a little less than fifty percent are African-American.

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