National HIV Testing Day Calls Us All to Action
Getting tested for HIV is easy. More testing opportunities are now available, especially around June 27th, National HIV Testing Day (NHTD). During the week of the 21st, up to NHTD, there will be thousands of organizations offering HIV testing and hosting special NHTD events. Take the Test, Take Control.
More than one million people in the United States are living with HIV. Of those one million people, CDC estimates one out of five does not know they are infected.
CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime. Testing once a year (or more frequently) is recommended for people at high risk, such as gay and bisexual men, injection drug users, or people with multiple sexual partners. CDC also recommends that pregnant women get tested early in their pregnancy so steps can be taken that will prevent transmission of HIV to her baby.
It is important that everyone know their HIV status. Studies show that when people find out they are living with HIV, they take steps to protect their own health (by seeking medical care) and that of their partners.
National HIV Testing Day
This year marks the 17th National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), organized annually by the National Association of People with AIDS
(NAPWA) with support from CDC and AIDS.gov. NAPWA and other NHTD organizers reach out to communities at increased risk of HIV infection, especially gay and bisexual men, African American and Latino populations.
National Efforts to Expand HIV Testing and Awareness About Testing
CDC continues to work with federal, state and local partners to expand routine HIV testing – not just on NHTD, but all year long. CDC's 5-year communication campaign, Act Against AIDS aims to combat complacency about the HIV crisis in the United States. The campaign features targeted messages regarding awareness and testing to the populations most severely affected by HIV. Since its launch last year, Act Against AIDS has embarked on several initiatives that reinforce CDC's continued commitment to increasing access to HIV testing in United States, such as the recently launched "HIV Screening. Standard Care." program, designed to increase routine HIV testing in doctors' offices, and the "i know" social media initiative designed to reach young adult African Americans with HIV prevention messages and HIV testing information. For NHTD, CDC is working with Greater than AIDS and Get Yourself Tested (GYT) campaigns to increase HIV and STD testing in 7 cities (through TV/Radio PSAs, on-line banner ads and celebrity spokespeople.)
Together, we can prevent HIV/AIDS, one voice, one experience, one community at a time.
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Basic HIV Information
Learn about HIV/AIDS, how it is and is not transmitted, the risk factors for HIV transmission, preventing transmission and the symptoms of HIV infection. -
National HIV Testing Database
Find an HIV test site near you from the National HIV Testing Database, a CDC-sponsored service available 24 hours a day. -
CDC HIV/AIDS
CDC's Web site for HIV/AIDS in the United States. -
CDC HIV/AIDS Topic: Testing
Overview and resources on HIV testing from CDC, including rapid tests, testing in healthcare settings, and more. -
LGBT Health
Key information related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender health -
CDC Business and Labor Responds to AIDS
HIV/AIDS resource for businesses and labor organizations -
Act Against AIDS
Be a Part of the Solution.
By CDC