DHEC shows HIV, AIDS impact on black community

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina health officials are marking the 13th annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day with a series of events.

The Department of Health and Environmental Control is partnering with community-based organizations to host events around the state Thursday to highlight the impact of the disease on black communities.

DHEC says technicians will be on hand to do free testing and give our information. DHEC says African-Americans represent 28 percent of South Carolina’s population yet account for more than three-quarters of the state’s recently diagnosed HIV and AIDS cases.