PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL— Wednesday, June 27, 2012, marks the 18th annual observance of National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), reminding all Americans that HIV testing is an important step in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Too many people don't know they have HIV. In the United States, nearly 1.2 million people are living with HIV, and almost one in five don't know they are infected. Getting tested is the first step to finding out if you have HIV. If you have HIV, getting medical care and taking medicines regularly helps you live a longer, healthier life and also lowers the chances of passing HIV on to others.

Every nine and a half minutes someone in the United States becomes infected with HIV, adding up to more than 55,000 annual new infections Currently in Palm Beach County, less than 2% of persons living with AIDS or HIV are under the age of thirteen. For the first five months of 2012, 59 new AIDS cases were reported, a 42% decrease from the first five months of 2011 when 101 AIDS cases were reported. In addition, for the first five months of 2012, 97 new HIV infection cases were reported, a 30% decrease from the first five months of 2011 when 138 HIV infection cases were reported. As of May 31, 2012, cumulatively the number of AIDS cases in the county is 11,227 and HIV cases are 3,412. Palm Beach County's ranking in the state for HIV/AIDS is #4. As of March 31, 2012; 7,879 persons are living with HIV/AIDS in Palm Beach County. It is estimated that this number could actually be 20% greater. The 20% is based not only on those who have not been tested but also includes people in care but whose test results have not been reported and thirdly, those persons in care but whose test results were reported from another state. Knowing your HIV status at an early stage of infection allows you to access medical care and treatment and support that can extend your life. Early diagnosis of HIV infection can delay the progression to AIDS and reduce transmission of HIV to others.

The NHTD campaign also prevents new HIV infections by increasing education and awareness and access to HIV counseling and testing services. This year marks the 28th year of the HIV test, which was first offered in 1985. A lot has changed since the first HIV tests were offered. With new rapid test technology, you can learn your HIV status in 20 minutes.  

National HIV Testing Day 2012

Sponsoring Agency: Comprehensive AIDS Program
Date/Time: 6/22/12, 7:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Jupiter Neighborhood Resource Center, 106 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL 33458
Event: HIV Testing
Features: Rapid HIV Testing
For more info: Elaine Esplin, (561) 472-2466



Sponsoring Agency: Heart, Health and Healing Ministries, Inc.
Date/Time: 6/23/12, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Well’s Gym, 2409 Ave H, Riviera Beach, FL
Event: AIDS Walk and Awareness Health Fair
Features: Rapid HIV Testing, STD Screening, Blood Pressure and Diabetes Screening
For more info: Caroline Hill, (561) 255-7711



Sponsoring Agency: Comprehensive AIDS Program
Date/Time: 6/25/12, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Guatemalan Maya Center, 110 North F St., Lake Worth, FL 33460
Event: HIV Testing
Features: Rapid HIV Testing
For more info: Elaine Esplin, (561) 472-2466



Sponsoring Agency: Comprehensive AIDS Program
Date/Time: 6/26/12, 1:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Lake Worth Shuffle Board, 1121 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33460
Event: HIV Testing
Features: Rapid HIV Testing
For more info: Elaine Esplin, (561) 472-2466



Sponsoring Agency: Palm Beach County Health Department
Date/Time: 6/27/12, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Delray Beach Health Center, 225 S. Congress Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33445
Event: HIV Testing
Features: Rapid HIV Testing, STD Screening
For more information: (561) 274-3100



Sponsoring Agency: Palm Beach County Health Department
Date/Time: 6/27/12, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Lantana/Lake Worth Health Center, 1250 Southwinds Dr., Lantana, FL 33462
Event: HIV Testing
Features: OraSure and Blood HIV Testing
For more information: Francisco Rodriguez, (561) 547-6805



Sponsoring Agency: Palm Beach County Health Department
Date/Time: 6/27/12, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: West Palm Beach Health Center, 1150 45th St., West Palm Beach, FL 33407
Event: HIV Testing
Features: Rapid HIV Testing, STD Screening
For more info: Jean Lansiquot, (561) 514-5465



Sponsoring Agency: Palm Beach County Health Department
Date/Time: 6/27/12, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: C.L. Brumback Health Center, 38754 SR 80, Belle Glade, FL 33430
Event: HIV Testing
Features: Rapid HIV Testing, STD Screening
For more info: Sharon Brown, (561) 996-1600



Sponsoring Agency: Comprehensive AIDS Program
Date/Time: 6/27/12, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Location: CAP, 2330 S. Congress Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Event: HIV Testing
Features: Rapid HIV Testing
For more info: Elaine Esplin, (561) 472-2466



Sponsoring Agency: Comprehensive AIDS Program
Date/Time: 6/27/12, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Location: CAP, 220 Congress Park Drive, Ste. 100, Delray Beach, FL 33445
Event: HIV Testing
Features: Rapid HIV Testing
For more info: Elaine Esplin, (561) 472-2466



Sponsoring Agency: Comprehensive AIDS Program
Date/Time: 6/27/12, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Location: CAP, 1500 NW Avenue L, Ste., A, Belle Glade, FL 33430
Event: HIV Testing
Features: Rapid HIV Testing
For more info: Elaine Esplin, (561) 472-2466



Sponsoring Agency: Minority Development & Empowerment and Walgreen’s
Date/Time: 6/27/12, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Walgreen’s, 101 South Main St., Belle Glade, FL 33430
Event: HIV Testing
Features: Rapid HIV Testing, music, food, condoms and discount cards
For more info: Thomas Cherizard, (561) 449-6041, or (561) 996-0500



Sponsoring Agency: Jesus People Proclaim International Ministries Church
Date/Time: 6/27/12, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: JPPIMC, 3200 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton, FL 33431
Event: HIV Testing
Features: OraSure HIV Testing
For more info: Susan Mintz, (561) 368-9044



Sponsoring Agency: Compass
Date/Time: 6/27/12, 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Compass, 201 N. Dixie Hwy., Lake Worth, FL 33460
Event: HIV Testing
Features: Rapid HIV Testing
For more info: Lorenzo Lowe, (561) 533-9699, www.compassglcc.com



Sponsoring Agency: Kaiser Family Foundation and Walgreen’s
Participating Agency: Community Health Center
Date/Time: 6/27, 6/28 and 6/29, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Walgreen’s, 1515 N. Flagler, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Event: HIV Testing
Features: Rapid HIV Testing
For more info: George Papadimitriou, (561) 844-0745, www.freehealthcarewpb.org



Sponsoring Agency: M.A.I.N., Inc.
Date/Time: 6/30/12, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Carolyn Sims Center, Boynton Beach, FL
Event: Motorcycle Ride for Life and Wellness Health Fair
Features: Rapid HIV Testing, blood pressure and glucose screening, haircuts, facial/nail care, games, face painting, bounce house, food and more!
For more info: (561) 370-3363

 

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