Cut It Out! Apparel x World AIDS Day 2008

Cut It Out! Apparel supports World AIDS Day (December 1). HIV/AIDS affects millions around the globe, so we are dedicating this post to all of those out there dealing with the disease. Our brand's mission is to empower females so we would like to particularly point out some facts about how HIV/AIDS affects women:

Today, women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. Women of color are especially affected by HIV infection and AIDS. In 2004 (the most recent year for which data are available), HIV infection was

• the leading cause of death for black women (including African American women) aged 25–34 years.
• the 3rd leading cause of death for black women aged 35–44 years.
• the 4th leading cause of death for black women aged 45–54 years.
• the 4th leading cause of death for Hispanic women aged 35–44 years.

HIV/AIDS in 2005

(The following bullets, except for the last one, are based on data from 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting.)

• HIV/AIDS was diagnosed for an estimated 9,708 women.
• High-risk heterosexual contact was the source of 80% of these newly diagnosed infections.
• Women accounted for 26% of the estimated 37,163 diagnoses for adults and adolescents .
• Of the 126,964 women living with HIV/AIDS, 64% were black, 19% were white, 15% were Hispanic, 1% were Asian or Pacific Islander, and less than 1% were American Indian or Alaska Native.
• The estimated number of HIV/AIDS in female adults or adolescents decreased from 11,941 in 2001 to 9,708 in 2005 .
• According to a recent CDC study of more than 19,500 patients with HIV in 10 US cities, women were slightly less likely than men to receive prescriptions for the most effective treatments for HIV infection.

Source: CDC

To find out more about the HIV/AIDS disease and prevention, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

If you are sexually active, it is extremely important that you get tested and take the proper preventative measures to protect yourself.

Are you a Cut It Out! Girl?!
xo