In the News

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. It’s being billed as a day to get the facts, get tested, and get involved. Around 1.2 million people in the U.S. live with HIV, and one in eight people don't know they have it. Nearly 45,000 people find out they have HIV every year.

In Florida, there are about 175,000 people living with HIV/AIDS. About 16 percent of people infected with the virus are unaware of their status.

National HIV Testing Day is extremely important says Lorenzo Robertson, Emerging Interventions Manager at The Pride Center at Equality Park. “Getting tested is an act of bravery,” he said. “It demonstrates you desire to know what’s going on with you and your body. Knowing your status not only helps you, but also illuminates your power to protect those that you love.”

Miami-Dade and Broward Counties topped the list of new HIV infections in the U.S. in 2014 per 100,000 residents, according to state and federal data. There are 27,035 people living with HIV/AIDS in Miami-Dade County, while there are 17,632 people living with HIV/AIDS in Broward County. This understates the importance of getting tested and knowing your status.

According to the Florida Department of Health, Florida continues to lead the nation in the number of HIV tests conducted at over 1,500 publicly funded and registered sites. During 2013, the Counseling, Testing and Linkage (CTL) data team recorded over 428,000 HIV screening tests with about 60 percent of these tests conducted at sites using rapid test technologies.

There’s no doubt about it – getting tested makes a difference. The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once as part of their routine health care. Testing for HIV is a powerful tool when it comes to prevention. It is proven that when a person knows his/her HIV status, they will apply prevention measures with their partners and will enter into medical care and tend to remain in care. With early diagnosis, individuals can be placed in treatment and care resulting in better health outcomes.

Traditional testing — an oral swab or a blood draw test — can be done, which takes about two weeks for results, or a rapid HIV test can be used, officials say. The rapid HIV test, which requires no more than a finger-stick blood specimen, delivers reliable results in 20 minutes. Reactive rapid tests must be confirmed with a confirmatory test.

“New treatments are bringing hope and enhancing the quality of life for those infected with HIV/AIDS,” said Lorenzo Lowe, Director of HIV Prevention at Compass, the LGBT Community Center of the Palm Beaches. “However, these considerable advances can only help us if we know our HIV status.”

On June 27 testing is available throughout South Florida. At various locations, counselors will be on hand to educate people on the risk factors associated with HIV transmission and to promote safe practices.

In Broward County, there will be a number of free HIV testing sites, including several locations in Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors. A list of those locations, including those with rapid testing can be found athttps://srdappsdoh35.doh.state.fl.us/ClinicSearch/Results.aspx.

In Miami, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) and other elected officials will take confidential HIV tests and encourage the public to join them in taking the test. Free HIV testing will be available on June 27th 2016, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the six South Florida locations below.

• • Frederica Wilson and Juanita Mann Health Center, 2520 N.W. 75 St., Miami, Fla.
• • Borinquen Health Care Center, 3601 N.E. Fourth Ct., Miami, Fla.
• • Center For Haitian Studies, 8260 N.E. Second Ave., Miami, Fla.
• • Jessie Trice Community Health Center, 4692 N.W. 183 St., Miami Gardens, Fla.
• • Koinonia Worship Center, 4900 Hallandale Beach Blvd., West Park, Fla.
• • New Horizons Community Mental Health Center, 1469 N.W. 36 St., Miami, Fla.

A complete list of testing sites for Miami-Dade County can be found at:https://srdappsdoh35.doh.state.fl.us/ClinicSearch/Results.aspx?county=Dade.

In Palm Beach County, HIV cases have jumped from 144 to 299 between 2005 and 2014. Local organizations are joining the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County by expanding HIV Test Day that traditionally occurred June 27, into a week of activities talking about HIV, testing for HIV and treating HIV.

"The interest in preventing and treating HIV generated by HIV Test Day has always been our chance to inform everyone about the importance of knowing your status," said Rob Scott, HIV/AIDS Educator with Florida Health, Palm Beach County, in a released statement. "This year we are hoping even more people will get tested. A person knowing their status goes a long way in preventing the spread of this disease."

A list of testing sites in Palm Beach County can be found here.https://srdappsdoh35.doh.state.fl.us/ClinicSearch/Results.aspx?county=Palm%20Beach

To find an HIV testing site near you, text your zip code to 477493 or visithttps://aidsvu.org/treatment-sites-or-care-services/hiv-testing-site-locator/.