National HIV Testing Day
Free HIV testing
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Free, confidential HIV testing will be available at a variety of locations in Los Angeles County today as part of National HIV Testing Day.
Just more the half of the new HIV infections in Los Angeles County are spread by people who do not know they have the virus, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Experts consider HIV testing important because it identifies those who are infected, leads to their getting treatment, changing their behaviors and preventing further transmission of HIV.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested once for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Gay or bisexual men or people who inject drugs should get an HIV test at least once a year, according to CDC guidelines.
Free testing will continue through Friday. A list of locations providing the free testing can be found at erasedoubt.org. More information is available by calling (800) 367-AIDS.
“National HIV Testing Day reminds each of us to do our part in fighting HIV/AIDS and get tested,” President Barack Obama said. “All of us have a responsibility to ourselves and those around us to know our status and reduce our risk, so on this National HIV Testing Day and every day, I encourage every American to join the fight against HIV/AIDS and get tested.”
PASADENA, Calif.—HIV testing will be administered by the Pasadena Department of Health in Parking Lot B of the Rose Bowl from noon-4 p.m. Sunday.
The testing consists of swabbing the inner cheek. Results are given about 20 minutes later.
Counselors will interpret the results and give details on how to stay HIV negative.
HIV Testing Day at the Rose Bowl will also include hot dogs provided by the Pasadena Firefighters Association and HIV and AIDS education materials and resource tables.
Sunday, May 19, is a day when many in Los Angeles and surrounding cities will have an opportunity to be twice-blessed. On that day, many will go out to worship, but will also have the options of getting their physical health and mental health check-ups at the same time.
This Sunday is the day that first ladies of 35 local congregations will host free medical tests for illnesses that particularly target African Americans and Hispanics in the community.
Richard Blanco, the poet who likes to describe himself as being made in Cuba, assembled in Spain and imported to the United States, will serve as the inaugural poet when President Barack Obama takes the oath of office for a second term this month.
Blanco will be the first Latino, the first openly gay person and the youngest poet to serve in the highly coveted role.
A statement from the inaugural committee said Blanco was chosen because the power of his poetry is rooted in American identity.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Free HIV testing will be offered and panel discussions will be held in Los Angeles County in connection with Saturday’s 25th observance of World AIDS Day, whose theme is “Working Together for an AIDS-Free Generation.”
Free HIV testing will be offered noon-6 p.m. at L.A. Live, 3-5 p.m. at the AIDS Monument in Lincoln Park in Lincoln Heights and 7-11 p.m. at the Sweet Dreams Dessert Lounge in Whittier.
Each year, on June 27, the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA), in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), AIDS.gov, and other national and local entities across the country organizes National HIV Testing Day. This unique initiative sends the message, “Take the Test, Take Control,” to those at risk from HIV from those already living with HIV.
