Did you know that every 35 minutes a woman in the United States tests positive for HIV? Historically, HIV/AIDS has affected more men than women, but that stat is quickly changing. Since HIV was first reported in the early 1980's, more and more women have become infected.

Today, about one in four Americans living with HIV is a woman. HIV/AIDS also disproportionately affects women on color. It is now the leading cause of death for Black women ages 25 to 34, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What can you do to help stop the spread of this pandemic? It's time to act out against HIV/AIDS and get tested.

This National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 10) please take some time to think about how you can make a difference in the future of this pandemic. Whether it’s by getting tested or learning more about the disease, we must all do our part to end this disease. It’s important that women make a point to practice and share safer-sex tips with each other, the girls they love and their sexual partners, most importantly. Here are a few points to keep in mind:

• No test, no sex. Get tested for HIV and make sure that your sexual partners are also tested. No exceptions.
   
• Protect yourself, first and always. Buy your own condoms. There are male and female condoms. Know how to use both and be able to teach your partner. Lastly, never have unprotected sex.
   
• Know the HIV/AIDS facts. Knowledge coupled with informed action will help slow down the spread of this epidemic.
   
• Love yourself. Decide not to engage in high risk behaviors for your protection, as well as your sexual partners.
   
• Communicate. Talk about HIV prevention with family, friends and colleagues. It should not be a taboo subject.
   
• Learn more about HIV/AIDS and about the people (men, women and children) living with the disease daily. HIV/AIDS research has come a long way, but there’s still no cure. There are many people who are living with HIV, and they’ve been living for decades. So, aim to learn more about the disease and to support people living with HIV/AIDS. Know that your biggest support will come through your actions. Practice safer-sex.
   
• Get involved and take action. Host an event for National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in your community and support organizations that have educational campaigns about HIV/AIDS in your community.

Here are a few resources and related links to get you involved in HIV/AIDS awareness education and efforts: 

• Posters
  Download this poster to promote your National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day events!
   
• Save the date cards, Graphics and Other Materials
  Send a personalized NWGHAAD e-card to save the date.
   
• Fact Sheets
  Download these fact sheets, post them on bulletin boards, share them with local newspapers, and distribute them at events! Click here to order free copies of these fact sheets. Read about the new CDC HIV incidence data.
   
• Website
  AIDS.gov is the gateway to all Federal domestic information on HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, treatment, research, policies and resources.
   
• Womenshealth.gov
  The Federal government is a reliable source for women's health information. So checkout www.womenshealth.gov, as well as cdc.gov. You’ll stay up to date with important facts and figures as it relates to women and HIV/AIDS, and many other conditions and diseases.
   
• Podcast
  Listen to this CDC podcast on the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls and the importance of getting tested for HIV.
   
• Mobile Resources
  To find an HIV Testing location near you, send a text message with your ZIP code to KNOWIT (566948) or visit hivtest.org.