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AIDS Action Members Support
HIV Testing Day
Wednesday, June 27 is the 13th annual National HIV Testing
Day.
AIDS Action today urges all people in the U.S. to
get an HIV test.
WASHINGTON, June 27, 2007 -- There are 250,000-350,000
people in the United States
living with HIV who do not yet know that they are infected. At least 40,000 people are infected with HIV
in the U.S.
each year. People who receive an early
diagnosis of HIV have substantially better health outcomes than people who are
diagnosed at late stages of HIV, including stages that meet the criteria for an
AIDS diagnosis. Those who are aware of
their status are less likely to transmit the virus. Additionally, those who
test negative are better able to stay negative.
“AIDS Action
Council fully supports National HIV Testing Day. Everyone should know their HIV status, regardless
of whether it’s positive or negative,” said Rebecca
Haag, AIDS Action’s
Executive Director, adding, “National HIV Testing Day is an annual reminder for
us to take control of our health.”
AIDS Action
Council Members and Affiliate
Members, located across the country, also use the day to highlight the benefits
of testing for people in their communities.
For example:
- The
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Office of AIDS Programs and
Policy planned 16 events throughout the county from June 25-30 that target
testing to people living in zip codes that have been identified as having
a high number of persons at risk for HIV infection. Additionally, Los Angeles will increase local
awareness of the opportunity to receive a test through a multi-media
campaign including television, radio and print media during the last two
weeks of June.
- Nashville
CARES, will celebrate National
HIV Testing Day with its 8th year of providing free,
confidential HIV testing and counseling services. They also plan to
station mental health counselors at the testing site to provide emotional
support and service linkage to those who test positive.
- AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
collaborated with the Massachusetts Black Legislative Caucus (MBLC) along
with other local Massachusetts
organizations to encourage Members
of MBLC and Black State Elected Officials to personally take an HIV test
to highlight the heavy toll the disease is taking on communities of color
in Massachusetts
and across the nation.
- AIDS Services Foundation Orange
County is working with a
community leader who owns a popular local night club to promote HIV
testing this Thursday in the club and for one evening a month on site in
the coming year. The effort marks
AIDS Service Foundation and the nightclub’s commitment to expanding HIV
awareness and promoting people and the community’s awareness of their HIV
status.
- The AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETCs) are ramping up
training programs for targeted efforts to enhance testing and counseling in
the 26 areas of the country with elevated rates of HIV among African
Americans identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Last week the Pennsylvania/MidAtlantic
AETC hosted an all day program regarding new testing issues, legal issues,
partner counseling and referral services.
- Legacy Community Health Services in Houston, TX
will host an STD screening the week of June 26-29. Discounted STD
screening services include an HIV test along with screening for chlamydia,
gonorrhea, syphilis, and Hepatitis A, B, and C. Patients who have not been
vaccinated for Hepatitis A and/or B will be encouraged to start the series
of vaccinations at the visit.
“AIDS Action
members work diligently to ensure that testing is accessible and affordable to
those who need it most. We are truly
concerned at the inroads that this epidemic has made into the African American
and the Latino communities as well as among intravenous drug users and gay men,”
said Ms. Haag. “AIDS
Action continues to support voluntary HIV counseling and
testing throughout the year and emphasizes that anyone testing positive should
be immediately linked to HIV care and treatment,” she said.
AIDS Action
Council commends the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA) for
founding and continuing to host National HIV Testing Day. Official Testing day information can be found
at http://www.napwa.org/.
Testing resources can be found at http://www.hivtest.org/.
AIDS Action Council
is the longest-serving national HIV/AIDS advocacy organization. It serves as a national voice for its
members—community-based organizations, local health departments and clinics,
treatment and prevention service providers, and health educators by advocating
for effective legislative and social policies and programs for HIV prevention,
treatment, and care.
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