Rather disturbing news from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) shows that over one million Americans (approximately 1.1 million) are living with HIV/AIDS.

Some good news is that research is showing that the number of people who do not know they are infected has dropped from 25% to 21%.

Education and testing resources are one of the key reasons more people are being tested.

HIV/AIDS is till more prevalent in black Americans, both male and female, and in gay men.

Various theories abound as to why that is.

TUESDAY, Sept. 23 (HealthDay News) -- The antioxidant resveratrol, found in many plants and in red wine, may help protect against radiation exposure, say University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers.

They gave acetyl-altered resveratrol to mice before exposure to radiation and found that the rodents' cells were protected from radiation-related damage. The team is conducting further studies to determine whether acetylated-resveratrol can help protect humans against radiation.

I don't know any women who use them but I know they are around and are supposed to be very effective. Does (or has) anyone use them? Everyone I know uses the Pill, an IUD or male condom.

Does the female condom protect against disease and infection as well as pregnancy and does sex feel the same with them? And where can I get them?

(HealthDay News) -- Ears are very sensitive to loud noises, and too much noise or prolonged exposure to loud noise can damage your hearing.

Before you crank up the mp3 player, read these suggestions to prevent hearing loss, provided by the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Wear protective ear coverings when working in a noisy area, such as around traffic or loud machinery.
* Wear earplugs when you know you'll be around loud noise for prolonged periods, especially when operating noisy tools and equipment.
* Use rubber mats under noisy electronics and appliances.

There has been recent discussion on EmpowHer about women being in abusive relationships. I wanted to share a Safety Planning Checklist, as well as information about how to protect your computer use (deleting internet history, for example).

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Safety Planning Checklist
* Think of a safe place to go if an argument occurs - avoid rooms with no exits (bathroom), or rooms with weapons (kitchen).
* Think about and make a list of safe people to contact.

Yesterday was National HIV Testing Day. Americans, especially between the ages of 13-64 are encouraged to get tested for HIV in an effort to have everyone ultimately tested for this disease that often leads to death if not diagnosed and treated.

The bad news is that HIV/AIDS still has no cure, and although many people are living healthy lives after an HIV diagnosis, the reality is that many will succumb to the disease of AIDS - particularly poorer individuals who may have no access to health care and may not even know they have HIV in the first place (and thus spreading the virus).