Free HIV Tests at Two Walgreens -- 6.25.2014
COLUMBUS PUBLIC HEALTH – Press Release
For Wednesday, June 25, 2014 Contact:
Jose Rodriguez Columbus Public Health (614) 645-6928
[email protected]Joel Diaz AIDS Resource Center Ohio (614) 561-0725
[email protected]Rakesh Singh Kaiser Family Foundation (650) 854-9400
[email protected]Markeisha Marshall Walgreens (847) 315-2923
[email protected]Free HIV Tests to be offered at Two Walgreens Stores June 26-28 in Support of National HIV Testing Day
HIV Testing Events Part of National Initiative in more than 100 CitiesColumbus Public Health and AIDS Resource Center Ohio are teaming with Walgreens, the nation’s largest drugstore chain, and Greater Than AIDS, a leading national public information response to the U.S. domestic epidemic, to offer free HIV tests at two central Ohio Walgreens stores from June 26-28 in support of National HIV Testing Day.
Free HIV tests will be offered from 3-7 p.m. on June 26-27 and from 10 a.m.-2p.m. on June 28 at two Walgreens stores: 3583 E. Broad St. and 1492 E. Broad St. in Columbus.
“Getting tested and knowing your status is the best way to protect yourself and others from an HIV infection,” said Dr. Mysheika Williams Roberts, assistant health commissioner and medical director at Columbus Public Health. “We are encouraging everyone to take a free HIV test on National HIV Testing Day or sometime soon. The important thing is to get tested and take control of your life.”
Currently, there are nearly 3,100 people living with HIV/AIDS in Franklin County. Only the Cleveland Metropolitan area has slightly more people living with HIV than central Ohio. African Americans, gay and bi-sexual men and youth are disproportionately impacted.
Of the more than 1.1 million people living with HIV in the U.S., an estimated one in six do not know they are infected, and only one in four has their virus under control with treatment Early diagnosis and treatment saves lives and is known to reduce the spread of HIV. Those with HIV who are on treatment and in care can reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others by as much as 96 percent.
“Being diagnosed with HIV is no longer a death sentence but we need to ensure that individuals are getting tested to know their status and receive the medical care they need to stay healthy and alive,” said Joel Díaz, of AIDS Resource Center Ohio. “We have come a long way in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and while we don’t have a cure, we do have the next best thing in terms of medical care. Knowing your HIV status is the first step to ending this epidemic.”
This year marks the fourth consecutive one Walgreens has teamed with Greater Than AIDS and local organizations to help offer free HIV testing. “Since the beginning of the epidemic, Walgreens has served as a trusted resource to help people know their status and manage their condition,” said Glen Pietrandoni, senior director, virology, specialty products and services at Walgreens. “We are proud to collaborate with Greater Than AIDS and community partners to increase access to testing and education which we know is critical to being a part of the solution to end AIDS.”
“Greater Than AIDS is about communities working together to achieve a greater goal. These testing events are powerful examples of what can be achieved when the public and private sector come together in response to HIV/AIDS,” said Tina Hoff, senior vice president and director of health communication and media partnerships at Kaiser Family Foundation, a founding partner of Greater Than AIDS. “Not only will thousands have access to free testing in a familiar and trusted location in their neighborhoods, but the very act of offering the tests in Walgreens helps to normalize HIV testing as a part of routine health care.”
In addition to national HIV Testing Day events, HIV tests are also offered year round at Columbus Public Health and AIDS Resource Center Ohio. For testing hours or more information, visit Columbus Public Health at publichealth.columbus.gov or AIDS Resource Center Ohio at arcohio.org.
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