TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Free and confidential HIV testing is being offered Wednesday in Tallahassee.
On National HIV Testing Day, Wednesday, the Florida Department of Health in Leon County and the Chi Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority are teaming up to offer the testing.
They are hosting a health fair that will also include health screenings, food, games and music. The fair will run 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the DOH-Leon's Southside location, 872 W. Orange Ave. Admission is free.
"The more people who know their HIV status, the better we can protect the health of individuals and the community at large," said DOH-Leon Health Officer Claudia Blackburn.
Leon County ranks 16th out of Florida's 67 counties in terms of new HIV infections and 9th in terms of total number of AIDS cases, accordinig to the Florida Department of Health.
This year’s National HIV Testing Day theme - “Test Your Way. Do It Today.” - serves as a reminder that HIV testing has never been more convenient because there are more places than ever to get tested.
Walgreens is working with 220 health departments, AIDS service organizations and other community groups to provide free HIV testing and information at Walgreens store sin more than 180 cities on Wednesday.
Participating Walgreens stores can be found at the pharmacy's site.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. Early diagnosis and treatment helps people living with HIV and protects their sexual partners, the CDC says.
