Westchester County residents can now access local HIV/AIDS resources online thanks to the launch of a new Facebook page, Project WAVE Westchester (PWW).

PWW is a partnership of public and private agencies that provide HIV/AIDS-related services including prevention, testing, counseling, and treatment, with a special focus on communities most affected by the disease. An offshoot of the Project WAVE national effort, PWW is a collaboration of the state Department of Health, the county health department, community groups, area health centers, and hospitals.

Outside of New York City, Westchester County has the state’s second-highest AIDS case rate and third-highest HIV infection rate. The county is also home to the largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS, excluding the city.

PWW’s Facebook page contains information about upcoming HIV testing events as well as prevention videos and public service announcements that focus on the importance of testing. To visit the page, go to www.facebook.com and register for a free account. Members then enter “Project Wave” into the search function to access PWW.

“I think it’s great that Project WAVE is using this popular Web site to provide valuable information about HIV/AIDS services to Westchester residents,” said Dr. Joshua Lipsman, the county’s health commissioner. “Many people spend a lot of time on these social networking Web sites, and this is another way for the public health community to reach out to residents and help them get the services, support, and resources they need. It also enables residents to find others who share their interests and concerns.”

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