City of New Haven Announces Series of Free HIV Testing Opportunities Leading Up to National HIV Testing Day
(6/2/2010) (NEW HAVEN)— During the week of June 21-27, the City of New Haven will partner with community agencies to promote HIV testing for all. National HIV Testing Day on June 27th, will be the culmination of New Haven’s week-long recognition of people getting tested and knowing their HIV Status.
For 15 years, the city’s HIV/AIDS service providers have worked in concert with the New Haven Mayor’s Task Force on AIDS and the New Haven Health Department to conduct awareness, education and HIV testing campaigns in an effort to help people understand HIV/AIDS and to be tested.
The National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) started National HIV Testing Day in 1995. Every year, on June 27th, local organizations across the nation engage with communities to promote early diagnosis and HIV-testing. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 250,000 of the one million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States are unaware of their status.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health reports that there are 3,056 people are living with HIV/AIDS in New Haven, and using NAPWA’s estimate, there are approximately 750 individuals living with HIV but haven’t been diagnosed yet. The push to identify cases early in the illness is important in the treatment of the virus. With early diagnosis, uncertain individuals will know their HIV status and should be placed in appropriate treatment and care.
This week long event will highlight various HIV testing sites across the city. Each day, an agency will be spotlighted and provide HIV screening to people who walk-in or who wish to make an appointment.
Testing is offered by many organizations in New Haven. Among those highlighted will be:
Monday, June 21– New Haven Health Department
Tuesday, June 22 – Fair Haven Community Health Center
Wednesday, June 23– Cornell Scott Hill Health Center
Thursday, June 24 – Yale New Haven Hospital AIDS Care Program
Friday, June 25 – New Haven Health Department by appointment only
Sunday, June 27 – Yale Community Health Care Van
The event will conclude with the Yale Community Health Care Van offering testing on Sunday, June 27th from 11am to 1pm on the New Haven Green.
The Mayor's Task Force on AIDS serves as an advisory body to the Mayor of the City of New Haven. The mission of the task force is to foster a broad-based community response to the HIV epidemic by encouraging partnership building and by serving as advocates to raise AIDS/HIV awareness at the local, state and federal levels.
For additional information please contact Matthew Lopes at the New Haven Health Department at (203) 946-8351.
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Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga
Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net
Contact Phone: 203-946-7660
