Today Is National HIV Testing Day, So Go Get Tested
Today, as it is every June 27th, is National HIV Testing Day. Our nation — and indeed the world — have come a long way since the pandemic began, and more people are now aware of the disease, and managing it. Still, while about 80% of infected people know their status (about 1.1 million), another 20% are blissfully and dangerously unaware (about 200,000). Knowledge is power, they say, and in this case knowledge could help manage the virus' transmission.
To help fight the good fight, the CDC is now teaming up with pharmacies, including Walgreens, to offer free, easily accessible tests to people who otherwise may not bother checking their status.
From Dr. Thomas Friedman, CDC's director:
For the 2012 observance of National HIV Testing Day, June 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced a new pilot project to train pharmacists and retail store clinic staff at 12 rural and 12 urban sites to provide voluntary, confidential, rapid HIV testing. The goal is to extend HIV testing and counseling and make it much more easily accessible in the communities where people live.
The result of this two-year initiative will be a model of HIV testing availability in pharmacies and retail clinics across the United States. Lessons learned from the project will be incorporated into a comprehensive toolkit that pharmacists and retail clinic staff can use to expand HIV testing nationwide.
Friedman also reminds readers that HIV prevention doesn't happen on just one day, today, but requires constant vigilance and self-awareness. "We must promote HIV testing and prevent new HIV infections every day of the year, not just today, National HIV Testing Day," he said.
If you're looking for a testing location near you, check out the CDC's handy-dandy directory.
It is shocking that many of the major and "respectable" gay porn studios to this day do not require HIV testing of their actors. Their claim of being responsible because of the partial use of condoms is specious because there is no way of ascertaining if any transmission has or has not taken place during filming. I call them out for a special Hypocrite Award on this day.
Posted by: patrick | Jun 27, 2012 8:32:48 AM
Another awful thing the gays do. spread their ADIS.
Posted by: John Luke | Jun 27, 2012 8:54:34 AM
JOHN LUKE, your comment went from awful and homophobic to straight-up hilarious.
ADIS?
dumbass.
Posted by: redball | Jun 27, 2012 10:02:45 AM
I was getting some condoms at my local GLCC center & decided to get an HIV test while I was there. I didnt know if was Nat'l HIV Testing Day & neither did the counselor. Know it know my status (neg) & the day. Thnaks for the 411!!!
Posted by: mattsy | Jun 27, 2012 11:26:12 AM
I live in Florida. In Florida, you cannot get HIV tested both a) anonymously and b) on a rapid (i.e., results at the same visit) basis. This is due to policies and restrictions imposed by the Florida Department of Health which, because Florida is a police state, is focused on coercing people in high-risk groups to test only "confidentially," in which the government gets to know your HIV status (if you test positive) before you do.
I bareback exclusively, and I both top and bottom. I am absolutely the guy they want getting tested, yet I have not had an HIV test in several years, due to Florida's policies.
I will go back to testing when the FDA finally approves a home HIV testing kit and I can do it in the privacy of my home, without the government trying to insert itself into my business.
Posted by: Roger | Jun 27, 2012 12:19:13 PM
Walgreens and Duane Reade were at the NASDAQ this morning for the opening bell with GMHC - and our GMHC testing van was in Times Square all morning.
We encourage people to use National HIV Testing Day to get tested and know your status.
gmhc.org
Posted by: Dirk | Jun 27, 2012 2:38:53 PM
What if you haven't had so much as a HJ since your last test over a year ago?
I'm asking for a friend.
Posted by: Brandon H | Jun 27, 2012 3:11:33 PM