Utah: STD Testing Options Slim in Iron County

HIV testing in Cedar City, Utah, is not necessarily as accessible or cheap as in larger cities, as one young area man, "Joseph," who spoke on condition of anonymity, recently found. Other than getting screened by a private physician, the only testing option in town is at Southern Utah University or at a family clinic in Valley View Medical Center. SUU offers testing only to students for $20, and VVMC requires patients to be at a low-income level to qualify for the service.

The Southwest Utah Public Health Department has not offered low- or no-cost HIV screening since funding for the five-county department was cut a few years ago, said Scott Monroe, public relations director for VVMC.

"We haven't offered those tests mostly because of the budget," said Dave Heaton, a Health Department spokesperson. There are no plans to begin testing again, Heaton said, though the department is involved with testing awareness efforts. People are more likely to follow up with treatment if diagnosed by their own doctor, he said.

The Health Department Web site suggests residents visit the Tri-State HIV/AIDS Task Force for free HIV testing on the second Saturday of every month in St. George. This is available through the Doctors Volunteer Clinic from 10 a.m. to noon. In addition, the department refers to the Planned Parenthood site in St. George, where testing is available three days a week by appointment.

In 2007, the five-county health district had three new HIV cases and three new AIDS cases. Joseph said next time he might consider driving to a Las Vegas public health clinic, where HIV testing is $20.

Back to other news for February 2009