Each year on June 27, the National Association of People with AIDS – in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), www.AIDS.gov and other national and local entities across the country – organizes National HIV Testing Day to promote HIV testing and early diagnosis of HIV across the U.S.
The theme of this observance is “Take the Test, Take Control,” which sends a powerful message about learning one’s HIV status. There is much work to do.
The CDC estimates that 55 percent of U.S. adults (ages 18-64) and 28 percent of adults with a risk factor for HIV have not been tested. If you are infected with HIV, you can access effective life-extending treatment, avoid HIV transmission to partners and have a better quality of life.
National HIV Testing Day is a reminder that HIV testing saves lives. Too many people who learn that they are HIV positive are being tested and diagnosed far too late to take advantage of the powerful treatments now available.
What can individuals do?
In Arkansas, free clinics are being sponsored by the Department of Health and local partners to commemorate National HIV Testing Day at the following locations:
Every Monday in June (by appointment), Fayetteville, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Center for Equality, 179 N. Church St. (co-sponsored by Northwest Arkansas HIV/AIDS Outreach and Prevention Education, Arkansas Minority Health Commission and ADH). For appointments email nwahope@nwacenterforequality.org or call 1-888-391-9222.
June 15 – McGehee, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Revenue Office, 901 Holly St. (co-sponsored by Arkansas Minority Health Commission and ADH
June 24 – White Hall, 10 a.m., Jefferson Regional Medical Center Medical Complex (co-sponsored by Jubilee Christian Center, Arkansas Minority Health Commission and ADH)
June 25 – Sherwood, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Covenant Faith Praise & Worship Center, 9900 Brockington Rd. (co-sponsored by Jefferson Comprehensive Care System, Inc., Arkansas Minority Health Commission and ADH)
June 25 – Smackover, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Hobgood Auditorium, #1 Buckaroo Lane (co-sponsored by Arkansas Minority Health Commission and First Baptist Outreach Ministry)
June 27 – Pine Bluff, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jefferson Comprehensive Care System, Inc., 1101 Tennessee St. (co-sponsored by Jefferson Comprehensive Care System, Inc., Arkansas Minority Health Commission and ADH)
June 29 – Crossett, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., EC Youth Center, 300 N. Florida St. (sponsored by Arkansas Minority Health Commission and ADH)
Everyone can
• Ask your doctor for an HIV test and get tested.
• If you live in a community where more people have HIV, get tested more often – maybe even once a year.
• People who inject drugs should get an HIV test at least once a year.
• Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men should get an HIV test at least once a year.
To learn more about how to participate in NHTD, go to www.hivtest.org. Also, to help plan events like National HIV Testing Day, the CDC has launched an online National Observances community that allows members to share event plans, photos, videos and much more from their observance day efforts. To join the online community, please visit http://www.cdcnpin.org/communities/nationalawareness/ to sign up today. Call the HIV/STD/Hepatitis C Section, 501-661-2408, if you have questions about testing or other related programs offered at the Health Department.
