Health: Get Tested! June 27 is National HIV Testing Day

(Photo Credits: CDC.gov)

Today, June 27, marks the 24^th National HIV Testing Day (NHTD). NHTD is an annual observance first celebrated on June 27, 1995 in order to raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing, of knowing one’s status, and at the same time it aims to link the public to prevention, care, and treatment services.  

Every year, several government and non-governmental organizations alike such as HIV.gov, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, and sponsors like Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS etc. come together to accomplish these aforementioned goals. They organize events, provide tools and resources, and they offer free and confidential HIV testing on this day. 

National HIV Testing Day is June 27th! Free testing in LA at A Clinic For Us today, or visit https://t.co/GOGpHB1fSH for more ways to know your status. #nhtd #HIVTestingDay #DoingItMyWay #HaciéndoloAMiManera pic.twitter.com/PCOJF720AY

— Jennifer L. Collins (@jlclcsw) June 25, 2019

#DYK 1.1M people in the U.S. have HIV? While there is no known vaccine for the disease, approved medicines can lead to better health. However, getting the #HIV test is the first step. Learn more @HIVgov: https://t.co/G7HzzGdwvL #DoingItMyWay #HIVTestingDay pic.twitter.com/njKKuVq35b

— Minority Health (@MinorityHealth) June 25, 2019

Walgreens to provide free HIV testing on National HIV Testing Day!https://t.co/YplaHav2NC#doingitmyway #nhtd

— CBA Provider Network (@CBA_Providers) June 25, 2019

#CountdownToHIVTestingDay | Why do you get tested? Use the hashtag #doingitmyway to share what motivates you to get tested. #HIVTestingDay pic.twitter.com/5xWvR6zNpO

— NASTAD (@NASTAD) June 25, 2019

Getting tested is easy. You only need to locate a participating Walgreens store near you through this website. There’s no need to book an appointment first, simply show up on Thursday, June 27th anytime between 10 am and 7 pm. 

But what if there are no participating Walgreens stores near you? There are many other options to choose from, depending on your preference or whatever you deem is best and convenient for you. You can opt for HIV home-testing kits, go to a testing event, and you can also visit a clinic, your local organization, or a health care provider alone or with your friends and/or family. 

This 2019, the aim of NHTD is to make HIV testing a part of our routine health care by “Doing it My Way.” To get a little closer to achieving NHTD’s goals, everyone is encouraged to share their stories on social media with hopes that this will motivate and inspire more people to test for HIV. By doing so, we help normalize the concept of HIV testing as well as reduce, if not end, the stigma that surrounds it. 

Hurry! Find HIV testing events near you today, get tested, and then share your story by using the hashtags #HIVTestingDay, #DoingItMyWay, and #HaciendoloAMiManera on your social media channels. Also, please don’t forget to tag Adam4Adam on twitter @adam4adam and on Facebook @Adam4Adam while you are at it.