WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The observance of National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) on Sunday, June 27, is a critical opportunity for all of us to talk about HIV and encourage HIV testing. To support the NHTD theme "Take the test, take control," the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Association of People with AIDS, and many other organizations and individuals across the country are offering HIV testing and educational events.
We are nearly 30 years into the HIV epidemic, and more than one million Americans are living with HIV. Of those, more than 200,000 (or one out of every five people) do not know they are infected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all Americans between the ages of 13-64 get tested for HIV as part of their routine medical care. Knowing your HIV status helps you take control of your health, protect your loved ones, and get connected to treatment, if needed.
One of my priorities for 2010 is to support the implementation of the upcoming National HIV/AIDS Strategy through collaboration across the federal government and among stakeholders. I am honored to assist the President in achieving the following goals of the Strategy: reduce HIV incidence; increase access to care and optimize health outcomes; and reduce HIV-related health disparities in the U.S. The Strategy will also emphasize the importance of HIV testing and will call on all of us to take action.
As National HIV Testing Day approaches, I encourage you to Take the test, and take control.
To locate an HIV testing site near you, please text your ZIP code to "KNOWIT" (566948), visit www.HIVtest.org, or call 800-CDC-INFO.
Together we can respond to the domestic HIV epidemic. On National HIV Testing Day, join this effort by sharing HIV testing information and taking an HIV test.
To learn more about HIV, please visit www.AIDS.gov To learn more about the Obama Administration's National HIV/AIDS Strategy, please visit www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/onap/nhas.
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
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HHS Press Office
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KEYWORDS: United States North America District of Columbia
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Women Health AIDS Hospitals Infectious Diseases Public Policy/Government Public Policy White House/Federal Government Consumer General Health Men
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