Free HIV testing highlights National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Two-day observance Feb. 6–7 brings testing, prevention and education to the community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 5, 2026

LAS VEGAS – In observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Saturday, Feb. 7, the Southern Nevada Health District will join community partners to provide additional health services to the community. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day highlights efforts to reduce HIV and other sexually transmitted infections while addressing HIV-related stigma in Black/African American communities.

Black/African American people continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black/African American individuals, who make up about 12% of the U.S. population, accounted for roughly 38% of the approximately 39,000 new HIV diagnoses in 2023. In Clark County, there were 140 new HIV diagnoses among Black people in 2024, compared to 106 new diagnoses among white people.

The Health District and the CDC recommend that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once. People with ongoing risk should be tested at least annually and as often as every three months for those at higher risk.

“National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a powerful reminder that knowing your HIV status saves lives,” said Dr. Cassius Lockett, District Health Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District. “We encourage everyone, especially those at higher risk, to take advantage of these free testing opportunities and prevention services. Together, through testing, education and treatment, we can reduce stigma and move closer to ending the HIV epidemic in our community.”

The observance includes a variety of activities over a two-day period:

Friday, February 6

The Health District will offer free HIV testing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sunny Market, 600 W. Lake Mead Blvd., North Las Vegas, NV 89030. Safe sex kits and education about pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP, PEP) will also be available.
The National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Dinner will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Center, 401 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89101. With the theme “A Brand New Day,” the evening of food, family and community also will include free HIV testing.

Saturday, February 7

The Center’s mobile testing unit will be available for rapid HIV and Hepatitis C screening from noon to 3 p.m. at the Southern Nevada Health Consortium’s Health Fair, located at the new West Las Vegas Library, 1861 N. MLK Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89106.
Free HIV testing will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McDonald’s, 3010 Las Vegas Blvd. N., North Las Vegas, NV 89030.

Additional year-round testing opportunities

Free HIV testing is also available at the following Health District locations:

Main Public Health Center, 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107, Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.)

The Health District’s Sexual Health Outreach and Prevention Program offers no-cost HIV/STI screenings year-round through its Sexually Transmitted Infection Express Testing program. No appointments are needed, but clients must be without symptoms. Additional testing for syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia is also available at the following locations:

Main Public Health Center, 280 S. Decatur, Las Vegas, NV 89107; Monday–Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fremont Public Health Center, 2830 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89104; Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Henderson Public Health Center, 220 E. Horizon Dr., Suites A & C, Henderson, NV 89015; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mesquite Public Health Center, 150 N. Yucca St., Suite 5, Mesquite, NV 89027; 4^th Monday of every month, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Same-day HIV testing and treatment services are also available at the Southern Nevada Community Health Center, 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107, and at the Fremont Public Health Center. HIV services include testing, medical, behavioral health, nutrition, case management, pharmacy services and education. PEP and PrEP services are available for those who test negative for HIV. Services are offered for insured and uninsured patients. Sliding fee scale discounts are available to eligible self-pay patients. For clinic hours and additional information, go to SNCHC.org.

Free at-home HIV test kits also are available through the Health District’s Collect2Protect program.

Early diagnosis allows people with HIV to benefit from antiretroviral therapy (ART), which reduces HIV-related illnesses, lowers the amount of virus in the blood, and decreases the risk of transmission to partners. With treatment, people living with HIV can remain healthy for many years.

Despite national progress in HIV prevention and treatment, about 13% of the more than 1.2 million people living with HIV in the U.S. are unaware of their status and need testing and care. Black individuals also have lower access to key prevention tools. The latest available data show that Black individuals represented around 15% of PrEP users in 2024, despite accounting for more than one-third of new HIV diagnoses, highlighting ongoing gaps in the equitable uptake of PrEP compared with white and Hispanic/Latino populations.

For more information on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, visit HIV Awareness Days.

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.