AIDS Action Calls HIV Test the Best Connection to Care Agency Lauds Public Education Campaigns for HIV Testing by NAPWA, and Kaiser Family Foundation with Viacom

by Anonymous

Washington, DC June 26, 2004 -- AIDS Action – the United States’ largest non-governmental HIV advocacy organization – is pleased to support two public education initiatives encouraging HIV testing. The initiatives coincide with National HIV Testing Day on June 27.

National HIV Testing Day was launched in 1995 by NAPWA (National Association of People With AIDS) to encourage at-risk individuals to receive voluntary HIV counseling and testing. With the theme It’s Better to Know, the NAPWA initiative is an effort to dispel myths associated with HIV and dismantle fear and stigma associated with HIV testing. The Viacom and Kaiser initiative, Knowing is Beautiful, includes public service ads, news and entertainment programming, and print and online resources.

“Taking the HIV test, knowing your status, and getting basic education on HIV infection is essential to managing your health,” states Jenifer Johnson, AIDS Action’s associate executive director. “Individuals who test HIV negative have an opportunity to receive counseling about how to best prevent transmission, and individuals who test HIV positive should be connected to appropriate HIV services and care.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 850,000 to 950,000 individuals in the U.S. are living with HIV, and nearly 180,000 to 280,000 are unaware of their HIV infection. The CDC also estimates that 250,000 HIV positive individuals who are aware of their HIV diagnosis are not receiving regular primary health care.

“The fact that an estimated 500,000 HIV positive individuals in the United States are not linked to regular primary health care shows that there is a present-day crisis in the domestic epidemic that our country is not facing.”

“HIV is 100% preventable,” Johnson adds. “Taking an HIV test is the first step in understanding what HIV is and how to prevent infection. If you receive a positive diagnosis, the next step is to connect to services and care.”

HIV positive individuals in care are less likely to suffer from opportunistic infections, and can live healthier, longer lives. Upon connecting to care, people can learn about the different treatment strategies and explore nutritional and physical regimens that can complement antiretroviral therapy. They can also learn how to monitor their HIV viral load to prevent other health complications.

Anyone seeking HIV tests can obtain free educational materials and counseling to learn more about how to prevent HIV infection and about HIV itself. Individuals also have the option of receiving confidential and anonymous testing. Anonymous testing is available in 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

For more information about the National HIV Testing Day, and testing locations, please visit www.knowhivaids.org or www.napwa.org .

To learn about existing services to connect HIV+ people to care, please visit www.aidsaction.org or www.connectingtocare.net .

AIDS Action strives to end the HIV epidemic by advancing public policies that prevent new infections, provide care for people living with HIV, and support the search for a cure. AIDS Action serves as the national voice for people living with HIV and represents AIDS service organizations, health departments, and a diverse network of community based organizations across the country.