National HIV Testing Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 22, 2011
In June 1981, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published its “Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report” that reported the first cases of what became known as AIDS (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/june_5.htm). In 30 years, AIDS has become a worldwide epidemic that has resulted in the deaths of more than 33 million people, including 600,000 in the United States. The CDC also reports that HIV prevention efforts have saved 350,000 lives in the United States, where new infection rates have declined by two-thirds since the height of the epidemic.
HIV testing is the key to prevention as the CDC estimates that one in five people with HIV in the United States are not aware they are infected and could be passing the infection along to their partners. Early diagnosis is critical for people who are HIV positive so they can benefit from treatment. It is estimated that nearly 40 percent of people with HIV are not diagnosed until they have developed AIDS, which can occur 10 years after infection. New treatments developed in the mid-1990s have allowed HIV-positive people to live longer, healthier lives.
The CDC recommends annual testing for individuals who engage in high-risk sexual behavior or use intravenous drugs. Pregnant women should be tested during the early months of their pregnancy to help eliminate transmission of HIV to their infants.
The Southern Nevada Health District’s Office of HIV/AIDS/STDs is located inside Annex A at the health district’s main public health center, 625 Shadow Lane. Services include confidential testing, counseling, case management and referrals. The health district offers several HIV test options, some with same-day results. In addition, testing is available at several locations throughout the community.
The health district and its partners will offer free testing at the following locations:
Monday, June 27
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Southern Nevada Health District
625 Shadow Lane, Annex A, Las Vegas, 89106
(702) 759-0702
1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Gay and Lesbian Center of So. Nevada
953 E. Sahara Ave., B-31, Las Vegas 89104
(702) 733-9800
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Richard Steele Boxing Gym
2475 W. Cheyenne Ave., Ste. 120, North Las Vegas, 89032
(702) 638-1311
The health district encourages everyone in the community to learn their HIV status. Currently, there are more than 5,900 people living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada.
Updated information about the Southern Nevada Health District can be found on Facebook www.facebook.com/SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict, on YouTube www.youtube.com/SNHealthDistrict or Twitter www.twitter.com/SNHDinfo.
Visit the Media Contacts webpage for media related inquiries.
The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.