The 20th Annual National HIV Testing Day is Friday, June 27, 2014. With an estimated 1.1 million people living with HIV and one in six unaware of their infection in the United States, this testing initiative’s message “Take the Test, Take Control” is a giant step in the right direction toward an AIDS-free generation.
The County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health Clinic Operations is hosting its annual free HIV testing event on Friday, June 27, 2014. The event will be at the corner of Baseline Avenue and “F” Street, in the city of San Bernardino from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
One of the goals of President Obama’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy is to reduce new HIV infection rates by 25% by the year 2015. This will take a combination of strategies: increasing HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention efforts in our communities, and increasing the number of people living with HIV who know their status. Although great strides have been made in the prevention of the spread of HIV, according to the 2010 AIDS Surveillance Report by the California Office of AIDS, there are up to 7,000 new cases of HIV in the state each year.
“Early HIV diagnosis is critical, so people who are infected can fully benefit from available life-saving treatments,” said Maxwell Ohikhuare, M.D., County of San Bernardino Health Officer. “Finding out whether you are infected with HIV is the first step to improving your health, and the health of your community.”
On June 27, 2014 HIV Testing counselors will be available to provide free testing and prizes, as well as answer any questions regarding HIV to community members who would like to know their HIV status. The Department’s Clinic Operations section provides conventional HIV antibody testing at all public health clinic locations. Additionally, rapid HIV testing which provides results in 20 minutes is offered via a mobile testing unit at various alternative testing sites throughout the County of San Bernardino.
For more information on National HIV Testing Day events or about HIV/AIDS and testing, call the County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health, AIDS program at (800) 255-6560, or Clinic Operations at (800) 722-4777.