“Every 47 minutes, a woman tests positive for HIV in the United States.“
On March 10, the United States will recognize National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD). Launched by the Office of Women’s Health, NWGHAAD is a nationwide observance that encourages people to take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS and raise awareness of its impact on women and girls.
While great progress has been made in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, women still represent 27% of all new AIDS diagnoses, with African-American women accounting for 66% of that group.
Shocking Statistics
There are many reasons why it’s important for women to know the facts when it comes to HIV. Biologically, women are more susceptible to infection during sex. Also, women aremore likely to get infected through heterosexual sex.
Statistics used are from the Center for Disease Control’s website. Although these stats are only taking the United States into account, globally, HIV/AIDS is no less of a problem, especially for women.
Key Snapshot of the U.S. Epidemic Today:
Number of new HIV infections, 2006: 56,300
Number of people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.1 million, including more than 468,000 with AIDS
Number of AIDS deaths since beginning of epidemic: 583,298, including 14,561 in 2007
Percent of people infected with HIV who don’t know it: 21%
There are approximately 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. & almost 280,000 are women
In 2006, there were 15,000 new HIV infections and 9,801 AIDS cases diagnosed among women
There were 3,784 deaths among women with AIDS in 2006
Among those who are HIV positive, 35% of women were tested for HIV late in their illness (diagnosed with AIDS within one year of testing positive)
HIV/AIDS is the 5th leading cause of death in women in the United States, ages 25-44
High-risk heterosexual contact is the source of 80% of these newly diagnosed infections in women
According to a 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
Women with AIDS made up an increasing part of the epidemic. In 1992, women accounted for an estimated 14% of adults and adolescents living with AIDS in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. By the end of 2005, this proportion had grown to 23%
From the beginning of the epidemic through 2005, almost 86,000 women have died of AIDS and AIDS-related complications
The largest number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses during recent years was for women aged 15–39
New York has the highest number of women living with AIDS – 22,532
Seven of the 10 states with the highest case rates among women are in the South
The rate of women in D.C. infected with HIV/AIDS is nearly 12 times the national average
HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects minority women in the United States. According to the 2005 census, Black and Latina women represent 24% of all US women combined, but account for 82% of the estimated total of AIDS diagnoses for women in 2005.
HIV/AIDS is the:
Leading cause of death for Black women (including African American women) aged 25–34 years.
3rd leading cause of death for Black women aged 35–44 years
4th leading cause of death for Black women aged 45–54 years
4th leading cause of death for Latina women aged 35–44 years
The only diseases causing more deaths of women are cancer and heart disease
The rate of AIDS diagnosis for Black women was approximately 23 times the rate for white women and 4 times the rate for Latina women
In 2006, teen girls represented 39% of AIDS cases reported among 13–19 year-olds. Black teens represented 69% of cases reported among 13–19 year-olds; Latino teens represented 19%.
These statistics were from The Center for Disease Control’s website and the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Fact Sheets (which cited the CDC). You can get more information about the effect of the epidemic from these sites.
Today was a snowy and cozy day. It has been a pretty mild winter in my neck of the woods so the snow was nice to see. Gio was loving the snow fall, he also like to eat the snow too.
Vinny was running around the yard like he could stay out all day.
I love color. It brightens the face and perks you up! The weather is all over the place. Today is very mild, in the upper 40s. This coming week is to be even warmer, with forecasted highs in the 60s. I decided to highlight one of my clearance deals that is perfect for these types of winter days. This Bob Mackie 3/4 length sleeve cardigan with embroidered and sequined detailing is on clearance for $29.96 plus tax on Qvc.com. I so love getting good deals on great finds, priceless. I wore the cardigan to church today with a pair of black jeans and high heel clogs.
Look at the back.
So much drama and elegance in the back view as well.
JT wonders about taking pics
This picture above looks like I am feeling a bit self conscious about taking pics. Would you believe that I still am, but its getting better thank God. I had to realize that I have to be okay with the way I look. I realized that I have to love myself entirely before I can love anyone else. Big self hug; I needed that.
This cardigan is a combination of 60% Cotton and 40% Acrylic. This is a great combination because it’s really a comfortable blend and the embroidery work on the back has a thin netting wear it doesn’t rub on my skin so its very comfortable. It is perfect for those winter days that starts off cold; but warms up during the day. Even if the temperature reaches 60 degrees, it is still a chilly 60 degrees; And you need to make sure that you have enough on to stay warm.
JT Enjoying the day
These handmade clogs from Matt Bernson are about 4 1/2 inches high and they are so comfortable. My Dooney and Bourke bag is such a pleasure to wear I love the print. The design may not be available because even though it looks like new it’s about two years old. My sunnies are Jacqueline Kennedy inspired.
Suede clogs by Matt Bernson
Have a wonderful day and a great week full of joy!
The new year is when many people make resolutions and try to make goals stick throughout 2012.
JT
For many people, one big resolution is losing weight. I don’t make resolutions because to me it’s a set up for failure. Everyone does not need to know my goals unless they are key people who have my best interest at heart. “Everyone you tell your dreams to may not necessarily be your cheerleader so you have to be careful,” my mother would tell me. My mother was a wise woman and she often had great quotes that I stand by today.
I constantly see, in magazines and online, images of women who are sizes zero, double zero, 2 and omg a size 4, which is starting to get a little too big in her britches. Are these realistic expectations of what we as women should look like? Of course not. I have often heard phrases like, “They get paid for how they look, so they have to be that small because the camera adds at least 10 pounds.” Or, “she’s rich so she can afford to hire people to keep her thin.” These phrases are all myths because if you want to, you can be in movies and be whatever size you are. If you exude confidence and strength, I believe that you can make it. If you want to be a dancer like Ginger Rogers being twirled around by Fred Astaire, than by all means, do it no matter what size you are.
We can easily get caught up in what the so called “they say”; whether it is the media or whoever. However, do not play that game because God made one you and you are special. Never forget that or be side tracked.
Kate Winslet is the face of St. John Knitwear. She recently did a promotional video that talked about how you do not have to be a size 2. I think that her message is wonderful. We all were not built to be a size 2. If you are a size 2, that is awesome. However, if you are not a size 2, you are awesome too. My point is that we are all awesome, no matter what size we are. That has to be factored into are minds. Please watch the Kate Winslet for St. John behind-the-scenes video and the full video below. I hope more advertisement can come out like this, to push the envelope.
The finished advertisement for St. John. The line looks so fresh and elegant.
I was reading an article from the Examiner, titled, “Kate Winslet Doesn’t Realize She’s Thinner Than The Average Woman.” Tracey Parece, the author took the article in a direction of saying that “Ms. Winslet is not the average size of the American woman even though she’s not American.”
The average size of the American woman is a 14. I do not know Ms. Winslet’s actual size; but I know that she is a good representative for women all over the world. You do not have to be a 14 or above to have curves. Curviness comes in all sizes, from a size 00 and up. The key is how comfortable are you with your curves no matter your size. A while back, a friend and I were at Macy’s. My friend was looking for a pair of black jeans in a size 4. But she was having issues finding the right jeans because she said they didn’t fit right in the hips. And you can buy plus size clothing from Curvissa online.
Are you comfortable with your curves?
Being Healthy
It is so great to be walking in good health and feeling good at the same time. If we don’t have our health, we don’t have anything.
I wrote a post in May 2011 entitled, “Are you Youthful at Any Age.” I focused on feeling young at any age. It may be a cliche; but age and size are only a number. Instead of focusing on the number, I focus on making sure I eat in moderation, get annual checkups, and exercise four to five times a week. My goals are being in the best shape mentally, physically and being the best me that I can be. We all have different bone structures and body mass. That is what makes us unique. We could be the same size and wearing the same outfit; but look completely different because we do not have the shape.
If we all were the same size, it would not be any fun because we would all be carbon copies of each other. We have to give ourselves a big hug and look in the mirror and say I am beautiful and I look great, God loves me. We have to work at having self-confidence and being our best because no one can do it for us.
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and that you are enjoying the weekend. I am so thankful to God for my husband in my life who is my best friend, and my doggies always make me smile. We prepared the food Wednesday night, but waited until Thursday to eat. While preparing the food, the doggies constantly walked around because of the aromas filled the house. Along with the traditional turkey, we had cooked cabbage, mac and cheese, a Smithfield ham and dressing. We finished it off with apple pie and vanilla ice cream.
We could not go out of town to see family because my hubby had to work today. We still are having a great holiday time. He has not had to work a Thanksgiving Friday in years; but this came up and that’s okay because we have to be thankful for our careers. Even though he worked Friday he’s off Saturday so we get the weekend. Hurrah!
I am not a person who gets up at midnight to catch the black Friday sales. I like relaxing, being at home and seeing what deals may be online. I have not ordered anything so doing pretty good so far. I want to be very sure that what I am buying is a good purchase and not an impulse buy.
So happy and can’t wait to get the jeans and style an outfit.
JT
Outfit Review
The outfit that I am wearing in the picture is a suede and leather mauve burgundy jacket with studs by Louis del Olio that I adore wearing and it is very comfortable. The silk blouse is a Scholarshop thrift find.
Pants are from a former HSN.com designer, Terry Lewis. They are really one of my favorite pairs of pants. I purchased the Anne Klein shoes at DSW. They make me want to click my heels and say “there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home Aunty Em.” (You know the Wizard of Oz! Doesn’t the color look identical to Dorothy’s ruby red slippers?) My Italian Lire bracelet was a gift from my hubby, love it.
My Gio see if he can see some squirrels in the dark.
Gio looking out the window
JT in her Living Room
Thank you, Elegant Readers, for your support and subscribing to my blog. My blog is a statement of what I have had a passion for ever since I was a child.
What a wonderful day at the Ritz Carlton, our church had an All the King’s Sons and All the King’s Daughters luncheon at the Ritz Carlton. It was a bit chilly but not cold so I wore my gray Rachel Zoe vest over my dress. It was perfect because it was a little cool in the ballroom. Pastor taught according to 1 Corinthians 11:1-4 that we are the best of God’s creation and to never settle for less in life especially when it comes to who you marry. I know my hubby was sent to me from the Lord, that’s a fact. I know that my hubby likes that I encourage and build him up and I love when he says uplifting words to me. Makes communication stronger and richer. Pastor asked that we read the whole chapter of 1 Corinthians 11 so I have to get to reading that to get more gems of wisdom.
My dress was a good find at Chadwicks.com a couple of years ago. It’s colorful, stylish and comfortable at the same time.
JTwisdom
I purchased my Guess handbag in Chicago on my anniversary vacation with my hubby a couple of years ago and I get so many compliments on it.
I actually have a Kathy van Zeeland charm on the front of it. I bought my boots from Nine West at the Mills Outlet Mall for a great price.
Here I am having some fun.
JTwisdom
Great day!
JTwisdom
Some pics from the Luncheon at the Ritz! The food was great, too. I had grilled chicken, salad with raspberry vinaigrette, potato croquette with asparagus.
For dessert, I had cheesecake with strawberries. Everyone had so much a great time. One of the ladies won a 42″ flat screen TV in the attendance drawing.
We had a panel discussion that was really fruitful and deep after Pastor taught. Great to see women of God enjoying a beautiful event.
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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