ASCP Launches Social Media Campaign in Honor of World AIDS Day
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) November 28, 2014 -- The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) announced today that it has launched a social media campaign in honor of World AIDS Day 2014. On Nov. 25, ASCP shared its “Give a minute. Get tested. Find a cure.” icon and infographic designed to generate public awareness about World AIDS Day and the importance of getting tested for HIV.
ASCP has asked members to replace their Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn profile pictures with the “Give a minute. Get Tested. Find a cure.” icon and share the accompanying infographic on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, to highlight the importance of HIV testing.
“After patient information is confirmed, it takes less than one minute to get tested for HIV,” explained William G. Finn, MD, FASCP, President of ASCP. “Our social media campaign was created to encourage people to take a minute out of their day to spread the word about World AIDS Day, get tested for HIV, and help the global medical community work toward a cure.”
World AIDS Day is held annually on Dec. 1 and provides an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV, and commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, and the first one was held in 1988.
“Despite the scientific advances in HIV treatment, many people still do not know how to protect themselves and others from HIV, and discrimination remains a very real reality for a larger number of people living with HIV,” added Dr. Finn. “When it comes to HIV diagnosis and treatment, clinical laboratories are a very important part of the solution. We created this campaign to enable ASCP members to help spread the word about the importance of getting tested and to highlight the crucial role they play in helping people get to the treatment they need.”
The infographic can be found here: http://bit.ly/1ttijZR and highlights the fact that:
• Over 15 million people living with HIV around the world have been tested and now know their status.*
• Nearly 13 million people were receiving antiretroviral therapy at the end of 2013.*
• Over half of the 35 million people estimated to be living with HIV across the globe still need to be tested.*
An estimated 34 million people in the world are living with HIV, and more than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
*Source: UNAIDS 2014
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About ASCP
Founded in 1922 in Chicago, ASCP is a medical professional society with more than 100,000 member board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologists, pathology residents and fellows, laboratory professionals, and students. ASCP provides excellence in education, certification, and advocacy on behalf of patients, pathologists, and laboratory professionals. To learn more, visit http://www.ascp.org. Follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ascp_chicago and connect with us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ASCP.Chicago.
Pam Flores, American Society for Clinical Pathology, +1 7732189260, [email protected]
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