An estimated one-fourth of about 900,000 HIV infected people in the United States do not know they are infected, according to the Center of Disease Control Exacerbating this problem, approximately 31% of those who do get tested and are positive never receive their results, emphasizing the importance of rapid testing and rapid delivery of medical and supportive services. 

The largest increases in infection are among women and youth, racial and ethnic minorities and intravenous drug use (regardless of race and ethnicity).  African Americans have 65% and Latinos 10.23% of AIDS cases. Yet, in Philadelphia African Americans represent 43.6% and Latinos 9 % of the total population. 

AIDS continues to be the number one cause of dead in African American and Latina Women ages between 25 and 35 years old.

The West Philadelphia Minority Health Collaborative: HIV/AIDS Demonstration Program is a collaborative venture of The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium (TPAC), and Turning the TIDE, a faith-based non-profit organization   It was designed and is operating to meet the growing need for prevention education, outreach and prevention counseling and testing for African American and Latinos living in West Philadelphia.

The West Philadelphia Minority Health Collaborative accomplishes the following:

1)      Increases the capacity in providing culturally and linguistically appropriate risk reduction services in African American communities; 

2)      Provides prevention counseling and rapid testing services to individuals at high risk.

3)      Increases the number of prevention counselors and certified labs in west and southwest Philadelphia.

4)      Promotes risk reduction in African American and Latino communities by significantly increasing the number of people getting pre and post prevention counseling and rapid testing.

5)   Provides tools for individuals in need to access medical and supportive services.