U.S. News

Florida: Saturday Is HIV Testing Day

From U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

June 25, 2009

On Saturday, National HIV Testing Day, several Gainesville-area groups will offer free screenings as a way to help residents learn their serostatus.

"The most important thing about this disease is knowing your status," said Teresa White, regional minority AIDS coordinator at the Alachua County Health Department. "Knowing is going to save your life. Not knowing is going to kill you."

The HIV/AIDS group Faith Inc. is sponsoring free rapid HIV tests from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Porters Community Center, 512 SW 2nd Terrace, and from 3-5 p.m. at Gardenia Garden Apartments, 1701 NE 8th Ave. In addition to counseling and screening, there will be entertainment, games, and food at both sites.

Through Friday, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare Inc., 4400 SW 13th St., is offering free HIV testing and counseling from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Though the center does not conduct rapid-result tests, incentives will be given to encourage those who get screened to return for their results in two weeks, said Sebrenah Phillips, an intervention specialist at Meridian.

Confidential and anonymous HIV testing is always available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday, at the county health department, 224 SE 24th St. Walk-ins are welcome, but those with appointments are seen first. To make an appointment, telephone 352-334-7960.

Back to other news for June 2009

Adapted from:
Gainesville Guardian
06.25.2009; Cleveland Tinker

This article was provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a part of the publication CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update.

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