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Six people who are speaking out about HIV and HIV testing received recognition today from the Springfield Greene County Health Department during a ceremony at the offices of AIDS Project of the Ozarks. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
Six people who are speaking out about HIV and HIV testing received recognition today (Thursday) from the Springfield Greene County Health Department during a ceremony at the offices of AIDS Project of the Ozarks.
Five of these individuals are HIV positive and are featured in a public service announcement that's been airing on television across Southwest Missouri.
One of the individuals who received recognition is the wife of a man who is HIV positive.
Jennifer Burch says she was pleased when her husband Barry decided to do the TV spot.
One of the women featured in the spot is Theresa Parrish. She's been infected for 24 years. Her message is simple...People in their 50's and beyond can test positive for HIV.
Parrish says thanks to aggressive medical care, she's thriving.
Others who participated in the public service announcement say they're especially concerned about young people.
Rebekka Armstrong is 40 years old and says she was infected during unprotected sex when she was a teenager.
Armstrong says she sees a lot of complacency when it comes to preventing the spread of HIV, especially among young people.
Complacency is one reason there's a rise in the HIV infection rate according to Lynne Meyerkord, executive director of AIDS Project of the Ozarks.
Meyerkord says prevention is key to stemming the increase in the HIV infection rate. And she says prevention means knowing your HIV status. June 27th is national HIV testing day and AIDS Project of the Ozarks will offer extended hours that day. AIDS Project of the Ozarks serves 29 counties in Southwest Missouri. In that service region, between 850 and 900 people know they're HIV positive. One in four people don't know they're infected.
