Snohomish Health District will offer free HIV testing to Black Americans in Everett next Monday, Feb. 23
In support of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the Snohomish Health District will offer free HIV testing to Black Americans who might be at risk of HIV infection.
These would include individuals who might have had unprotected sex or have injected drugs and shared their injection equipment.
Testing will include a private counseling session. Testing and counseling with take about 30 minutes.
The test requires only a drop of blood from a finger prick. Results of the test will be known within the 30-minute visit.
Participants do not have to disclose their identify, and the results of the testing will be kept anonymous and confidential.
HIV/AIDS has hit Black American communities hard. Although Black Americans make up only 12% of the U.S. population, Black Americans make up 50% of new HIV/AIDS cases.
During their lifetime, 1 in 16 black men and 1 in 30 black women in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with HIV.
Testing will be offered in The Rucker Building, 3020 Rucker Ave., Suite 106, Everett – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, February 23rd.
No appointment is necessary.
For more information, please read the announce from the the Snohomish Health District below:
Free HIV tests in Everett for Black Americans, Feb. 23
Take control of your health and your life, says Snohomish Health District. Get tested for HIV.
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. — Snohomish Health District will translate awareness into action on Monday, Feb. 23, by offering free HIV testing to Black Americans who are at risk for HIV infection. In support of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the local public health agency will offer prevention information and free anonymous or confidential HIV tests. Each 30-minute appointment is free to those who qualify. Clients do not need to bring photo identification, or proof of residence or nationality.
Staff health educators will offer walk-in “rapid” HIV antibody testing in Everett:
The Rucker Building, 3020 Rucker Ave., Suite 106 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No appointment needed.
The rapid HIV antibody test, adopted in 2004 by the Health District, requires only a drop of blood pricked from a
finger. Test results are ready within the 30-minute appointment.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a serious threat to the Black community in America:
- AIDS remains the leading cause of death among Black Americans.
- Black Americans are only about 12% of the US population, but account for nearly 50% of all new HIV infections.
- One in 16 black men and one in 30 black women in the United States will be diagnosed with HIV during their lifetime.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day encourages Black Americans nationwide to get educated, get tested, get treated.
About 40 people each year test positive for HIV/AIDS in Snohomish County, and 624 people are living with HIV/AIDS.
HIV tests routinely available @ the Snohomish Health District: On Tuesdays, rapid tests by appointment and walk-in; other weekdays, OraSure® tests and standard blood draw tests by appointment. OraSure, offered only to high-risk individuals, requires a mouth-swab sample for testing. OraSure and standard blood draw test results take approximately one week to receive. Appointments can be made at 425.339.5298 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon-Fri.
Find national data at www.aids.gov; Washington state data at www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/hiv_aids/Prev_Edu/Statistics.htm. For more information about National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, visit www.blackaidsday.org. For more facts about HIV/AIDS and the African American community, go to http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/index.htm.
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