Throughout next week, public health agencies and community-based groups are ramping up for National HIV Testing Day, which is on June 27.
Events scheduled across the country will emphasize the importance of knowing one's HIV status and starting early treatment if HIV-positive. According to CDC estimates, the proportion of HIV-positive persons aware of their status rose from 75 percent in 2003 to 79 percent in 2006.
Beginning on Saturday and extending through the next week, "Be Greater Than AIDS: Get Yourself Tested Week" organizers will spotlight 10 cities where free HIV testing and other special events will be offered: Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York, and Washington, D.C.
Partners for the week-long promotion include CDC, Kaiser Family Foundation, MTV, Black AIDS Institute, and Planned Parenthood. The first "Be Greater Than AIDS: Get Yourself Tested Week" also will feature public service ads by celebrities and media campaigns targeting minorities and youth.
More information is available at www.gytnow.org, www.kff.org, and www.greaterthan.org.
06/17/10
UNITED STATES: June 27 Is Designated National HIV Testing Day
Source: San Diego Gay & Lesbian News; Courtesy of the CDC National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention