Monserrate Sponsors HIV/AIDS Outreach Campaign

A coalition of local service providers and awareness advocates teamed up with Councilman Hiram Monserrate and began a grassroots outreach campaign to combat growing HIV/AIDS infection rates plaguing the 21st District.
"The face of HIV/AIDS is changing," said Monserrate. "New infection rates are skyrocketing in communities of color like Corona, East Elmhurst and Jackson Heights. We cannot continue to risk the lives of our spouses, partners or children because of a misperception of misinformation. This campaign is built on the simple premise that its better to knowfor yourself, for your family and for your community."
The health initiative, "Its Your Life, Choose to Live It," advocates using personal contact to educate at-risk individuals, and focuses on the neighborhoods of the 21st DistrictCorona, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, and Jackson Heightswhich have the highest infection rates in Queens.
To fight the disease, Monserrate joined with the AIDS Center of Queens County, Elmhurst Hospital Center, Promise Christian Ministry, Latino Commission on AIDS, Hispanic AIDS Forum, Western Queens HIV Care Network, Voices of Hagar HIV/AIDS Ministry and Latino Action Center.
A large demographic of the 21st District, black and Hispanic New Yorkers make up 83% of all new HIV/AIDS cases, with 10,000 new cases since January 1, 2001.