Did you know that 20 percent of people living with HIV have no idea they are infected? Did you also know that experts believe that those 20 percent are responsible for 70 percent of all new infections? Finally, did you know that there are 56,000 new HIV infections in the US each year? It doesn't take a math genius to see the huge impact being unaware of an HIV infection plays in the spread of HIV. So getting people tested must be a high priority if the spread of HIV is to be slowed or halted. That's why Sunday, June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. Every June 27th. since 1995, the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) has sponsored National HIV Testing; partnering with local HIV testing agencies and communities across the nation to promote early diagnosis and HIV-testing for everyone. The goal of National HIV Testing day is to raise testing awareness, to get people tested, and ultimately to promote early diagnosis, early treatment, and of course HIV prevention.
The importance of early detection can't be be stressed enough; so important in fact that more than 100 mayors from across the US have joined forces in the Mayors' Campaign Against HIV. This campaign, one of many efforts from all parts of the country, support National HIV Testing Day by hosting HIV testing campaigns; conducting press conferences to discuss local HIV testing resources; issuing proclamations in support of NHTD; and, each mayor acting as an example by receiving an an oral HIV test to illustrate how important knowing your HIV status is to your health. You too can observe National HIV Testing Day by getting an HIV test and urging your loved ones to do the same. It's a small thing that will have a huge impact; something we can all do to help stop the spread of HIV.
Excellent article! We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the great writing.
ReplyDelete