FOR RELEASE: June 15, 2006
CONTACT: Pamela Williams
Office of Communications
405/271-5601

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in four Americans living with HIV/AIDS does not know he or she is infected. In observance of National HIV Testing Day, Tuesday, June 27, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is promoting various activities to educate people about HIV/AIDS and to encourage them to get tested for HIV.

According to public health officials, one goal of National HIV Testing Day is to identify people who do not know they are HIV-positive, so they can access treatment. Another goal is to prevent new HIV infections by increasing education, awareness, and access to voluntary counseling and testing.

“HIV testing has become easier, more accessible, and less invasive than ever before. 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.

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 Oklahoma State Department of Health’s HIV/STD Service at (405) 271-4636.

Examples of some activities planned for National HIV Testing Day on June 27 include the following:

• Oklahoma City
  • Free HIV testing will be offered from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the main lobby of the OSDH located at 1000 NE 10th St.
  • The Latino Community Development Agency will host a mini-health fair on National HIV Testing Day, which will include HIV testing and TB testing at 420 SW 10th St., in Oklahoma City. For more information call Adolpho Morales at (405) 236-0701
  • RAIN, Red Rock North Behavioral Center, and Guiding Right will be combining resources by sponsoring an event at Rose State College Student Center, 6420 SE 15th St., Midwest City. HIV testing will be available from noon until 7 p.m. For more information call Shanna Parker at (405) 412-9258.
• Tulsa
  • HOPE Clinic will sponsor several HIV testing events on Saturday, June 24. On that day, vans will be testing at the following Tulsa public housing complexes: Seminole Park, Morning Star, Bradford Park, Comanche Park, Mohawk Park, and Apache Manor. They will also be testing in the Hispanic community at 21st and Garnett across from Plaza Santa Cecilia. Call the HOPE women’s department at (918) 812-7043 for information and testing appointments.
  • In addition, the HOPE men’s outreach will be at the Pride Center on June 24 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. offering HIV and syphilis testing. Call the men’s department at (918) 812-7045 for information and testing appointments.

And finally on June 24 at 9 p.m., the HOPE men and women’s departments will sponsor testing at Maverick Bar and Majestic Bar. Call (918) 749-8378 for more information about this and other events.

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