Media Release

This press release put out at the request of the Alachua County Health Department.

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Health Department is participating in the annual “National HIV Testing Day” by offering free HIV Rapid Clearview and STD testing on Thursday, June 27, 2013, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Health Department (224 S.E. 24th Street, Gainesville).  All sexually active individuals, both males and females, are encouraged to be tested for HIV, because this disease does not discriminate by gender, race, age or sexual orientation.

National HIV Testing Day is a nationwide awareness campaign promoting prevention, education voluntary HIV counseling, as well as providing testing and referral to those at risk for HIV. The theme this year is to encourage people to “Take the Test, Take Control.” Knowing one’s HIV status reduces the risk of HIV transmission and empowers people to get the care they need.

Every 9.5 minutes, someone in the United States becomes infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Over 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and of those persons 1 out 5 does not know that they are infected. Based on data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 56,300 Americans became infected with HIV this year. In the state of Florida, it is estimated that 5,550 Floridians are infected with HIV each year.

Taking the test and taking control is an important step in preventing the spread of HIV. The Alachua County Health Department supports this vital initiative and encourages community-based organizations, local health departments and health care providers to help control the spread of HIV.

Click to find a testing site near you, or text your zip code to 477493.

For more information, visit the Alachua County Health Department website, or call 352-334-7960.