District 2 Public Health to Observe National HIV Testing Day on Monday

Each year public health observes National HIV Testing Day, to emphasize and encourage HIV testing.  The theme for 2022 is “HIV Testing is Self-care.”  The goal of public health is to increase your knowledge of your HIV status so you can live a long and healthy life, says Natasha Young, Public Information Officer for District 2 Public Health.  “So, with National HIV Testing Day, that’s an annual thing that our HIV and Ryan White Program put together, it’s a testing event throughout all of our Health Districts.  So, all District 2 Public Health Departments will participate.  It’s on June 27, you can get a free HIV test.  They recommend anyone who is 13-65 get tested at least once in a lifetime.  So, make sure you know your status and go ahead and get tested for free that way you have the information to arm if you need or want that information.” 

Testing is the first step in care and prevention.  According to the CDC, the number of new HIV diagnoses was highest among people aged 25 to 34 years old.  Knowledge of status is one of the six ways to Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S (EHE).  Once a person is diagnosed, they can take steps to manage their viral load and become undetectable with medication, effectively reducing their chance of spreading HIV to their sex partner.  By the year 2030, the EHE initiative aims to reduce new HIV infections in the U.S. by 90%.  Taking the test is taking care of you.  District 2 Public Health encourages you to talk to your partners and friends about getting tested for HIV.  The only way to know for sure whether you have HIV is to get tested.  To find a health department in a District 2 county visit phdistrict2.org.