Greenlawn, NY - December 12, 2016 - In recognition of World AIDS Day, Suffolk County Legislator William R. Spencer, M.D. joined Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci, Dr. Joseph McGowan the Medical Director of the Center for AIDS Research & Treatment, and others to dedicate the Northwell Health HIV/AIDS testing van at the Dolan Family Health Center. The van, which is the first of its kind in the Northwell Health System, will provide on-the- go testing, counseling, and treatment services directly to communities in need throughout Suffolk County.
Each December 1st for the last 28 years, World AIDS Day has been acknowledged to pay homage to those who have died from the disease, to support those living with it, and to raise awareness among the public about the vital need to continue advancements in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
According to the CDC, it is estimated that 1.2 million Americans are living with the HIV virus, including an estimated 161,200 (13%) undiagnosed cases. Worldwide it is estimated that approximately 36.9 million people are living with the disease, and that there are approximately 2 million new cases of HIV occurring annually.
“While enhanced education and medicine have led to major improvements over the years, and we have seen the numbers of those infected reduce dramatically, there is still more work to be done in the United States and across the globe,” said Legislator Spencer. “I want to thank Northwell and the Dolan Family Health Center for bringing this crucial service to our local communities.”