Free HIV test day June 27 in Broward

The Broward County Health Department recognizes June 27, 2010 as National HIV Testing Day; which is designed to encourage individuals to assess their risk for HIV infection and know their HIV status. This annual day of recognition promotes FREE, anonymous and confidential HIV counseling and testing throughout Broward County.

The theme, “Take the Test, Take Control”

The Broward County Health Department and its community partners are collaborating to make testing available during the week of June 21^st – June 30^th.  A complete listing and hours of operation are provided on the attached document.  In addition, Churches United to Stop HIV (CUSH) will offer free testing on Sunday, June 27^th at 6 locations.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 250,000 of the one million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States are unaware of their HIV status.  The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once as a part of their routine health care.  It is important to learn your HIV status and that of your partners because studies have shown that when people find out they are living with HIV infection, they take steps to protect their health and that of their partners.  Furthermore, once you learn your status, if you find out that you have HIV infection, you can seek medical care that can reduce the impact of HIV on your health, substantially increase your lifespan, and improve your quality of life.

Traditional testing – an oral swab or a blood draw test – can be done, which takes about two weeks to receive results, or a rapid HIV test can be used.  The rapid HIV test, which requires no more than a finger-stick blood specimen or oral sample, delivers reliable results in 20-40 minutes.  Reactive rapid tests must be confirmed with a Western Blot test.

2010 – National HIV Test Day – Scheduled events

For more information on free testing sites call the Broward County Health Department, HIV/AIDS Program Office at (x 5661, or visit www.browardchd.org, or www.wemakethechange.org.

Related posts:

1. McArthur community can get free medical care in January
2. Pantry of Broward Hosts Health & Resource Fair Thursday, September 16
3. Dump the Pump in Broward June 17 (especially BP!)
4. Free immunizations from Broward Health Department
5. Broward schools enroll 587 Haitian students; set up free health care

Short URL: https://browardnetonline.com/?p=8448

Posted by AdamF on Jun 10 2010. Filed under Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, Health, Local news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry