FOR RELEASE: June 21 , 2005
CONTACT: Pamela Williams
Office of Communications
405/271-5601

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day
Take the Test, Take Control of Your Life

State health officials would like to see an increase in the number of people tested for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In observance of National HIV Testing Day, June 27, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is promoting various activities to educate people about HIV/AIDS and to encourage them to be tested for HIV. This year’s theme is “Take the Test, Take Control” to encourage everyone to get tested.

“Knowing your HIV status is an essential step in taking control of your life. Health officials encourage Oklahomans to learn more about confidential HIV testing and counseling services,” said OSDH HIV/STD Service Chief Michael Harmon. “One goal of National HIV Testing Day is to identify people who are HIV-positive and don’t know it, so they can access treatment. Another goal is to prevent new HIV infections by increasing education, awareness, and access to voluntary counseling and testing.”

There are anonymous and confidential counseling and testing sites in the metropolitan areas of Oklahoma City and Tulsa as well as other sites statewide. To find the location of an Oklahoma HIV test site closest to you, call the statewide HIV/AIDS hotline at 1-800-535-2437.

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For Oklahoma City Media:

Some of the National HIV Testing Day events planned in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area include the following:

• On June 25-26, Red Rock North event booth will promote HIV testing during the Oklahoma City PRIDE Festival and Parade at Memorial Park, located at N.W. 36th and Classen Blvd. HIV counseling, testing and referral services will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.
• On June 27, Red Rock North Prevention Services will hold an Open House at 2240 N.W. 39th (N.W. 39th and Pennsylvania) with HIV counseling, testing and referral services available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Correction—Event Cancelled: Also on June 27, HIV counseling, testing and referral will be offered at the Ralph Ellison Library, located at Northeast 23rd and Martin Luther King Boulevard.