National Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Oct. 15
Health District encourages Latino community to get tested
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 7, 2010
LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District encourages the Valley’s Hispanic residents to learn their HIV status and to get tested as part of National Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Oct. 15. The health district will offer free testing between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 15 at Community Outreach Medical Center, 1140 Almond Tree Lane, Suite 306, Las Vegas, 89104. For more information contact Community Outreach Medical Center, (702) 657-3873 or visit www.nvcomc.org. For additional information, contact the Southern Nevada Health District Office of HIV/AIDS, (702) 759-0702 or visit www.SNHD.info.
In Clark County, more than 8,000 Southern Nevadans have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Since 1992, more than 1,500 patients have died from the illness. Hispanics account for 18 percent of people living with HIV across the country. A study by UNAIDS, a joint United Nations program on HIV/AIDS, noted that approximately 33 million people worldwide are living with HIV.
In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that voluntary HIV testing become routine for patients between the ages of 13 and 64. The CDC estimates that more than one million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS, a fifth of whom are unaware of their infection.
In addition to the traditional blood test, the Southern Nevada Health District offers the OraSure HIV-1 oral fluid test that does not use needles. In addition, two types of rapid HIV testing that provide same-day results are available. Both rapid tests are $25 and are administered Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and Thursday morning from 8 a.m. until noon; neither rapid test is available on Friday. All HIV testing at the health district is confidential and is available inside the main location at 625 Shadow Lane. There is a separate entrance to ensure clients’ privacy.
In addition to testing, the Southern Nevada Health District’s HIV/AIDS program includes counseling, case management, outreach efforts and community referrals.
Confidential HIV testing takes place at the following locations:
Southern Nevada Health District
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
625 Shadow Lane, Annex A
(702) 759-0702
Gay & Lesbian Community Center
Monday and Thursday
1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
953 E. Sahara Ave., Ste. B-25
(702) 733-9800
Richard Steele Boxing Facility
Tuesday and Wednesday
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
2475 W. Cheyenne Ave., Ste. 120/North Las Vegas
(702) 759-0707
Diabetes resources are available on www.GetHealthyClarkCounty.org website. 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.
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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.