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Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, the Florida Department of Health (Department) observes National HIV Testing Day. This annual observance on June 27 encourages people to be aware of their HIV status. This year’s theme, “My Test, My Way,” highlights the many options for HIV testing. The Department works with community partners throughout the state to help provide all Floridians access to the right tools for learning their HIV status and staying healthy.
“We should continue working to end the HIV epidemic,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees. “Every Floridian needs to know their HIV status. Whether it’s taking a test alone at home, going to a clinic, or even an outreach event with a friend, we encourage Floridians to break the stigma and know their status.”
In 2019, 4,584 people were diagnosed with HIV in Florida. At the end of that year, 116,689 Floridians were confirmed to be living with HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that this accounts for only 86.5% of all people with HIV in Florida, meaning that there are many Floridians who have yet to be diagnosed. Earlier diagnosis of HIV leads to more successful treatment, so getting tested and learning your HIV status is crucial to your health.
People can reduce their risk for HIV by using appropriate prevention strategies, such as using condoms, getting tested regularly and taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Contact a health care provider to find out if PrEP is recommended for you. People living with HIV who take antiretroviral medication as prescribed and achieve an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partners.
Visit KnowYourHIVStatus.com to learn more about testing options in your area or to order a free at-home HIV testing kit mailed directly to the address of your choice. For more information, call 1-800-FLA-AIDS; en Espanol, 1-800-545-SIDA; in Creole, 1-800-AIDS-101.
About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
Originally published at https://www.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2021/06/062521-florida-department-health-observes-national-hiv-testing-day.pr.html
