HIV rates continue to rise at an alarming rate in Saskatchewan and the HIV rate in the province is twice the per capita national average.
In 2009, the Saskatoon Health Region reported 94 new cases of HIV.
AIDS and HIV are also highly prevalent in the aboriginal community, especially among young females.
On Thursday, local agencies in Saskatoon will highlight those stats to raise awareness and understanding of the disease on world AIDS day.
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They hope to educate the public on the risks for contracting HIV.
Starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, a candlelight vigil will be held at Saint Thomas Wesley United Church.
A condom blitz is also planned for bars and pubs around the city on Friday evening.
The Saskatchewan government is also addressing AIDS and HIV in the province.
Last year, the province launched a four-year HIV strategy to reduce the number new infections, improve the quality of life for HIV infected people and reduce risk factors.
The Ministry of Health is launching a new awareness campaign encouraging at risk people to get tested and access treatment.
As well, the number of testing sites across the province will be increased over the next several years.
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