NATIONAL HIV/AIDS AND AGING AWARENESS DAY | SEPTEMBER 18
National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day on September 18th highlights the number of people living longer with HIV/AIDS.
#HIV/AIDSAgingAwarenessDay
Of the 1.2 million people living with HIV infection in the U.S., an estimated 24 percent are age 55 or over. Another focus of the campaign includes those diagnosed after the age of 50. According to the AIDS Institute, increased awareness for an aging population is necessary. Finally, the day also aims to increase support to the growing number of grandparents becoming guardians of children losing their parents to HIV/AIDS.
The campaign provides educational information, support options, and more. Clinics, support groups, and others join this campaign to learn more about prevention, testing, and bringing attention to this national health issue.
While treatment options have improved over the decades, prevention and testing are still necessary. The observance reminds us that age doesn’t eliminate the risk of HIV/AIDS.
HOW TO OBSERVE HIV/AIDS AGING AWARENESS DAY
Organize or attend a health fair. Talk to your family members or to their physician about testing. Many clinics will offer seminars and opportunities to learn more about the impact of HIV/AIDS on an aging population. Age doesn’t eliminate the risk.
Visit theaidsinstitute.org for more information on how to get involved. Clinics, families, and retirement communities are encouraged to get involved. Use #HIV/AIDSAgingAwarenessDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL HIV/AIDS AGING AWARENESS DAY HISTORY
The National Institutes of Health launched HIV/Aids Aging Awareness Day in 2008 to confront HIV-related issues for aging adults.
September 18th Celebrated History
1793
Construction began on the United States Capitol when President George Washington laid the cornerstone. However, no one knows exactly where Washington placed that cornerstone. Additionally, the first president of the United States never saw the building completed. Washington died in 1799 and the builders completed the Capitol building nearly a year later.
1837
Businessmen Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young established Tiffany & Young. They sold “stationery and fancy goods” to the citizens of New York and then the world. In 1853 when Charles Lewis Tiffany became the sole proprietor, he renamed the business Tiffany & Co.
1851
The first edition of the New York Daily Times is published. The newspaper’s name would later change to The New York Times.
1891
After years of devotion to the Seneca tribe, Harriet Maxwell Converse was adopted into the tribe. She would later be installed as the Six Nations Chief, the first white woman ever to be named Chief of a Native American tribe.
1915
Dr. Susan La Flesh Picotte dies. The driven young woman attended the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania and became the first Native American to earn a medical degree. She graduated valedictorian of her class and returned to Nebraska, opening her own clinic and eventually establishing the first hospital in the county where she lived.
1919
After becoming the first African American to play in the Rose Bowl, Fritz Pollard broke another color barrier. He became the first African American to play professional football when he signed with the Akron Pros.
1927
The Columbia Phonograph Broadcasting System begins airing programs. The company would later be called the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS).
1946
Joe Louis maintains his Heavyweight title when he knocks out Tami Mauriello in the first round.
1947
The National Security Act of 1947 goes into effect bringing both the CIA and the Department of Defense into existence.
1980
When the Soviet Soyuz 38 launched into space with Tamayo Méndez aboard, the Cuban cosmonaut became a man of many firsts in space – first Latin American, the first person of African descent, and the first Cuban.
1984
Joe Kittinger becomes the first person to fly solo in a balloon across the Atlantic Ocean. He completed the journey in a helium-filled balloon named Rosie O’Grady. On September 14th, he lifted off from Caribou, ME and landed Montenotte, Italy on September 18th.
September 18th Celebrated Birthdays
Kate Booth – 1858
The Salvation Army captain brought the Christian charitable organization to France.
Ray Geiger – 1910
As the editor of the Farmers’ Almanac, Geiger grew the publication’s circulation from 85,000 copies to more than 6.5 million.
Joe Kubert – 1926
The comic book artist established The Kubert School in 1976 for students of cartooning.
Al Lapin Jr. – 1927
Along with his brother Jerry and Albert Kallis, the entrepreneur founded the International House of Pancakes in 1958.
John McAfee – 1945
The computer programmer founded McAfee in 1987. The company provides security and virus protection software to millions of customers around the world.
Lance Armstrong – 1971
The professional cyclist won seven consecutive Tour de France races. However, he was later stripped of the titles when it was discovered he used performance-enhancing drugs. The cyclist and cancer survivor also established the LiveStrong Foundation to support cancer research.
