TAKE CONTROL! GET EDUCATED! GET TESTED! KNOW YOUR STATUS!
More than 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV, but one in six does not know they are positive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all Americans between the ages of 13-64 get tested for HIV as part of routine health care. Early diagnosis and treatment improves health, extends life and helps prevent the spread of HIV.
HIV is a growing problem in the African-American community, particularly for men here in Richmond, Virginia. Blacks are 9 times more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS so we need more people to get tested and know their status, we need to encourage men to have healthier and honest dialogue about their sexual health and wellness.
In fact, in the City of Richmond, nearly 2500 individuals are living with HIV disease and many more people are infected but unaware of their status. Richmond has one of the highest rates for new HIV infections in the Commonwealth of Virginia, averaging approximately 90 new cases (based on newly reported cases for 2009-2013). Minority communities, especially the African-American community, are disportionately impacted by HIV with significantly higher rates than whites, reports the Richmond City Health District.
Free HIV Testing is available on June 26, 2015 from 7:30am to 11:30am at the Richmond City Health District located 400 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA
As one in seven Americans who are infected don’t know it, and the rate of infections among African Americans is eight times that of whites, Walgreens will be offering free HIV testing for three days, Thursday the 25th thru Saturday the 27th.
