DOH-Leon Observes National HIV Testing Day 

Contact:

James Easton

James.easton@flhealth.gov

(850) 404 – 6218

Tallahassee, Fla. — Tuesday, June 27^th is National HIV/AIDS Testing Day (NHTD). The theme for NHTD 2023 is “Take the Test & Take the Next Step”. The Florida Department of Health in Leon County (DOH-Leon) is partnering with local organizations to offer HIV testing throughout Leon County. DOH-Leon wants everyone to “Check your status and know. Take steps to be good to go.”

In 2021, 49 people were diagnosed with HIV in Leon County. Seventy-three percent of those diagnosed identified as African American or Black. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 40 percent of new HIV infections are transmitted by people who do not know that they have the virus. For people with undiagnosed HIV, testing is the very first step in maintaining a healthy life and preventing HIV transmission to others.

In recognition of NHTD in Leon County, DOH-Leon is partnering with Neighborhood Medical Center and 926 Bar & Grill to encourage everyone in Leon County to Take the test & take the next step. Join us on June 28^th from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. at 926 Bar & Grill, located at 926 W Tharpe Street. We are offering free health screenings, fun and goodies to anyone interested in knowing their status and learning about how they can protect themselves from HIV and STIs. Free screenings include HIV/Syphilis, blood pressure, blood glucose, and more.  

HIV Prevention and Treatment

• HIV transmission is 100 percent preventable. Taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication that can prevent HIV if exposed, and using condoms greatly reduces the risk of acquiring HIV. PrEP and condoms can be accessed for free at the Roberts & Stevens Clinic at 1515 Old Bainbridge Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32303, or the Richardson-Lewis Health Center at 872 West Orange Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32310.
• People with HIV who know their status can access HIV treatment (called antiretroviral therapyor ART) and remain healthy for many years. Studies show that the sooner people start HIV treatment after diagnosis, the more they benefit. 
• HIV and testing for other sexually transmissible infections is routine healthcare. Talk to your doctor and ask for a HIV and STI test at each annual visit.

Visit the Department’s website for more information on where and how you can access free HIV and STD testing in Leon County. To find a testing location anywhere in the state of Florida, visit www.knowyourhivstatus.com for a list of free and confidential testing sites near you. You can also call the DOH-Leon HIV Program at 850-404-6240 to speak to a program specialist.

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 Facebook and on Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

Follow the Florida Department of Health in Leon County on Twitter at @healthyleonfl. To learn more about DOH-Leon programs and services, visit http://leon.floridahealth.gov/.

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