Public Health and BCAP Offer Free HIV Testing in Boulder
It’s better to know. Take the test. Take control.
June 2006, Boulder — In an effort to break down barriers to HIV testing,
Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) and Boulder County AIDS Project (BCAP)
are proudly celebrating National HIV Testing Day on Saturday, June 24,
from 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder.
It is estimated that 40,000 Americans are newly infected with HIV each
year, and at least 25% of those who are positive don’t know it. The Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest figures estimated that
there are currently between 1,039,000 and 1,185,000 people living with HIV
in the United States.
National HIV Testing Day is an event sponsored nationally by the National
Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA). The theme of this year’s event is,
“It’s better to know. Take the test. Take control.” The phrase was chosen to
underscore the importance of knowing your HIV status as an important step in
preventing the spread of HIV infection, as well as improving and prolonging
the lives of those infected.
“By knowing your HIV status, you can protect your partners and yourself
from future infection,” says Shelly King, HIV prevention coordinator at BCAP.
“If you are positive, we [BCAP] can provide you with the resources to get
into medical care and case management services to help you live a long and
quality life.”
BCPH and BCAP are collaborating to organize a community event that will
bring public awareness to HIV testing as an important step in the prevention
and treatment of HIV/AIDS. BCPH and BCAP will provide free and anonymous HIV
antibody testing by English- and Spanish-speaking testers. The test will use
rapid HIV testing technology, which requires an oral fluid sample rather
than blood or needles, and provides results in just 20 minutes.
“The rapid test has changed the face of HIV testing,” says Kate Storm,
coordinator of the BCPH HIV/STI Outreach Program. “We no longer have to draw
blood and send someone home hoping that they will show up for their return
appointment two weeks later. It’s quick and easy, and people get their
results the same day.”
For additional information on how to participate in this event or for
further information, please contact Kate Storm at 303-413-7522 or Shelly
King at 303-444-6121 (for Spanish, call 303-444-7181).
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