National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is March 10, and state health officials plan to observe it this Saturday at a free conference among other health groups and community organizations. They aim to raise awareness and spread information about preventing, testing for and living with the disease.

Preliminary state data shows that by the end of 2009, nearly 30,000 people in Maryland were living with HIV/AIDS and 36 percent were women. The majority of women were ages 30 and 49 and the most common methods of contracting were through heterosexual sex and drug use.

The rates among women also are rising, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Infectious Disease and Environmental Health Administration, which is partnering with local and state public schools, community health groups and the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

"The proportion of new HIV diagnoses among women in Maryland has more than doubled from 15 percent in 1985 to 35.3percent in 2008," said Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, secretary of the state health department, in a statement. “It is critical to advance strategies that help all women -- young and old -- to protect themselves."

The conference runs from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel, 101 W. Fayette St. It targets public schools students and their parents.

For the latest Maryland HIV/AIDS data report, click here.

For information about HIV education, testing, treatment, support services and local National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day activities, 410-767-5132 or click here. National activities are here.