Alabama Department of Public Health joins its partners in observing National HIV Test Day
Published 12:00 am Thursday, June 27, 2019
Each year on June 27, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) joins its partners in observing National HIV Testing Day. On this day, ADPH especially wants to raise awareness and plan events about the importance of HIV testing and early diagnosis of HIV.
The only way to learn whether you have HIV is to be tested. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care.
In Covington County, there were 46 reported HIV cases, according to the most recent data available.
ADPH encourages HIV testing on National HIV Testing Day and every day to ensure people get tested for HIV, know their status, and get linked to care and treatment services. This year’s theme, Doing It My Way,highlights how and why people make testing part of their lives – on their terms and in their way.
Doing It My Way encourages individuals to share their personal testaments of why testing is important, what motivates them to get tested and stay healthy, and how they get tested – be it at home, at the clinic, or with the company of a friend or loved one.
There are so many ways to get tested for HIV – at home, at the doctor’s office, with a friend. It’s fast, free, and confidential.
“Knowing your HIV status is powerful. This knowledge can help you take steps to keep yourself and your partner healthy,” Sharon Jordan, HIV/AIDS Division director said. “Find which HIV test is best for your lifestyle and situation. When you’re #DoingItMyWay, you have important information that can keep you – and others – safe.”