Category Archives: HIV Testing

Moving Ahead

Advocacy, Awareness Days, HIV Testing, Inspiring Stories, Knowledge Buster, , ,

Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and as a community, I think it is very important that we understand the reason why we have to fight so hard to end the epidemic again HIV/AIDS.

As people of color, we are already fighting against the injustice of racial barriers, which increases the stigma of those living with HIV.

We wanted to share this straight-to-the-point blog by Venita Ray, a woman who has touched many lives. Click the image below to visit her blog. We hope that you will find the strength to speak out and advocate for yourself, your sisterhood and your community.  We want you to know that you are not alone and if you feel that you are in need of support, we are here for you. You can reach us at letstalk@rwhp.org.

Hooray, it’s National HIV Testing Day! 

Advocacy, Awareness Days, HIV Testing, Inspiring Stories, Stigma

So why is it important to get tested? There can be so many different reasons NOT to go get tested and the reality is many people don’t believe that they are at risk for an HIV diagnosis. You may be thinking, “I don’t participate in that kind of lifestyle, I work on Wall Street, or I’m married, etc.”

But you see there’s this stigma surrounding HIV- that diagnosis is directly related to behavior and lifestyle choices -as if some people do not “qualify” for diagnosis and are immune to HIV. This is not the case. The ugly truth is almost everybody is at risk for an HIV diagnosis. If you’ve ever had a sexual relationship, are currently in a sexual relationship, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you might be are at risk. Understand that HIV is a health condition, not a punishment for behavior.

Now let me ask you a better question… Are you ready to go and get tested? If you’re answer is no, then I’d say that’s even more of a reason to get tested for HIV. The bottom line is it’s better to know than not to know, believe me.

There are lots of ways to prevent the transmission of HIV. You have PrEP*, condoms, abstinence, the list goes on, but the very first step is knowing your status. When you don’t know your status, you run the risk of transmitting HIV to others, or even worse, dying prematurely from lack of necessary treatment. But on the flip side, when you DO know your status you can begin treatment sooner and with consistency, live a long, healthier and productive life, and prevent transmitting the virus further.

So why not get tested or retested? When we examine the issue at its core, what’s really holding people back from knowing their status is fear. Please know that it’s absolutely normal and okay to be afraid, but you can’t let that stop you. It’s your health and potentially your life at stake—you have to take control!

Someone once told me, “If I had known my status earlier, I would not have been diagnosed with AIDS. That’s what made me get tested.”

The bottom line is, it’s not all about you. Think about your friends, family, and partners; they are affected when you don’t know your status and we’re trying to get to zero! Now that I know my status, I would love for you to know yours as well because Silence=Death. So, don’t be afraid and don’t be ashamed. Get tested, everybody’s doing it! 🙂

*PRep is a medication for those who are not living with HIV, but are at risk. It is said to be estimated at 99% effective when taken as prescribed, in preventing the transmission of HIV

Local Testing Sites-Alachua County:

Not in the Gainesville/ Alachua County area? Check out the website to find a testing site near you: https://locator.hiv.gov/

Some of the events will feature counseling and testing, education, free condoms, and referrals to other resources in the community that deal with HIV/AIDS issues.

Wednesday (6/27/2018)

GRACE Marketplace
3055 NE 39th Ave
Time: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Heart of Gainesville Thrift Store
125 NW 23rd Ave.
Time: 3-6 p.m.

HealthStreet
(Please call and schedule an appointment and be sure to arrive 30 minutes earlier if you are not already a HealthStreet member (You must become a HealthStreet member (FREE) for the free testing)

2401 SW Archer Road
Time: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: (352) 294-4880

Friday (6/29/2018)

University of Florida Health Family Medicine
1707 N. Main St.
Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

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Citrus County:

Wednesday (6/27/2018)

Florida Department of Health
3700 W. Sovereign Path, Lecanto, FL 34461
Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Phone: (352) 527-0068

“As an advocate for Women living with HIV, this is very close to my heart. In this day and age, this test can change your life! You can live a long and great life as with many diagnoses. We must end the stigma attached to so many medical conditions.”

SaveSave

National Youth HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day!

Action Tips, Advocacy, Awareness Days, HIV Testing, Support

Every month 1,000 young people are infected with HIV and over 76,400 young people are currently living with HIV across the United States.

National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD) is a day to educate the public about the impact of HIV and AIDS on young people as well as highlight the amazing work young people are doing across the country carrying out to fight the HIV & AIDS epidemic.

In the United States, one in four new HIV infections are among youth ages 13 to 24. Young people and supporters are determined to end this epidemic and on April 10th, we hope that you will help acknowledge the great work young people are already doing in the community!

According to NYHAAD, there are 5 simple ways you can help out:
1. Get tested!
2. Tune into a live conversation on the impact of HIV on youth on April 10 at 5:30 PM EST on HUFFINGTON POST LIVE
3. Follow NYHAAD on Facebook and Twitter using @YouthAIDSDay and #NYHAAD
4. Go to the Center for Disease Control website
5. Share NYHAAD’s new infographics on what young people need to get for an “AIDS-free generation”
If we’re not reaching out to these young people, an AIDS-Free Generation will be almost impossible to achieve. If you are interested in doing more to help helping out, commemorating, and/ or learning more about NYHAAD, please visit: amplifyyourvoice.org/nyhaad

nyhaadcolorlogo

National Women and Girls HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day!

Accessing Services, Action Tips, Advocacy, Awareness Days, HIV Testing, Uncategorized

March 10th

Happy International Women’s Herstory Month! I am sure many of you know that this month is dedicated to commemorate all the accomplishments women have made and the initiatives we’ll continue to build!

With this in mind, it’s also important to note that today is the 11th Annual National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day! This year’s theme is ‘The Best Defense Is a Good Offense’ which seeks to ensure that women and girls have the proper information to make the best decisions about safer sex.

Whether you’re in a relationship, actively dating or having casual sex with other people, for both you and your partner’s health, you should take safe steps to prevent HIV transmission by:

1. Using a female or male condom during anal or vaginal intercourse
2. Being monogamous (having only one partner)
3. Abstaining from drugs and alcohol (which affects your judgment and increases chance of transmission)
4. Getting an HIV test
5. Consider the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to reduce the risk of HIV infection

For more information, please visit: http://www.womenshealth.gov/nwghaad/

I am my Brother/Sister’s Keeper: Fight HIV/AIDS

Action Tips, Advocacy, Awareness Days, HIV Testing, Resources, Support, Uncategorized

As February commences, we all have a lot to celebrate: Valentine’s Day, Black History Month and the fact that we have a 29th day this month!

With all this in mind, we must also remember that this month, our community will also be celebrating National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on February 7, 2016! According to the Center for Disease and Control, in 2014, 44% of new HIV diagnoses in the United States were among African Americans showing that this community is disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. Now in its 16th year, the national HIV testing and treatment community mobilization initiative focuses on the Black community in the United States.

2016 Theme:

I am my Brother/ Sister’s Keeper: Fight HIV/AIDS

Awareness Day includes four areas of focus, urging people to get:

1. Educated: Inform Black communities about the basics of HIV and AIDS.

2. Tested: Get tested and know your status. This supports the prevention of HIV, specifically those who are considered high risk.

3. Involved: Host and participate in Black Awareness Day events in the Black community– from organizing testing events to supporting AIDS organizations and providers.

4. Treated: Connect those who have been diagnosed with HIV to treatment and care. This will keep people healthy, living longer and reducing the chances of transmission.

How will you encourage people from ALL communities to get involved and stop the spread of HIV/AIDS?

For more information, please visit: http://nationalblackaidsday.org/

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Advocacy, Awareness Days, HIV Testing

February 7th, 2015 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. LTAI believes in the importance of recognizing all of our communities who are affected by HIV/AIDS.

Blacks/African Americans have disproportionately accounted for a greater percentage of people living with HIV. The observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day provides us with an opportunity to promote testing and encourage discussion about this epidemic in black communities.

According to the CDC, it is estimated that there are currently 74,000 Blacks with undiagnosed HIV in the US. Every day is a new opportunity to increase HIV education, testing, community involvement, and treatment across the nation.

Share your thoughts and comments with us below and how you might take the initiative to promote HIV education and testing in your community during this month!

National HIV Testing Day

HIV Testing,

16eNational HIV testing day is tomorrow June 27th and we thought it was the perfect time to remind everyone of the importance of ADVOCACY!

As one LTAI member always says, “Knowledge is power,” and one of the best ways to make a change in someone’s life is through education. We encourage all of our readers to be advocates, whether you are positive, a caregiver, or a provider; you can make a huge impact in your community by promoting HIV/AIDS testing.

Send out a FREE testing reminder designed by the Let’s Talk About It advocates by clicking here: http://letstalk.rwhp.org/ltai-e-cards/

There are many FREE testing sites for your community to take advantage of. Below are some great resources in the Gainesville area for you to share with your family, friends, and community members.

FREE CONFIDENTIAL HIV testing and counseling:
Library Partnership: 11am-3pm
Cone Park Library: 11am-3pm
HealthStreet: 9am-5pm                                                                                                                                            For more info contact HealthStreet at 352-294-4880

Macy’s/Gainesville Oaks Mall: 1pm-8pm                                                                                            Alachua County Health Department HIV program staff & MACY’s MAC AIDS foundation will offer FREE HIV Rapid testing.

STI Awareness Month

Advocacy, Awareness Days, HIV Testing

Take a look at this statistic!

STI awareness statistic pic

Got your attention, right? It certainly got ours! As you can see, rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) are especially high among young people. This month, during STI Awareness Month, you are encouraged to advocate for STI testing in your community. So, if you know anyone under the age of 25- a daughter, son, niece, nephew, grandchild, or just a friend- discuss this information with them and encourage them to be proactive about their sexual health.

What factors do you think influence high STI rates?
Who will you share this with today?
Is just talking about it enough? Is there anything else we can do?

Share your thoughts below with other blog readers.

And, don’t forget, STI’s don’t discriminate based on age-EVERYONE should know about STI’s. Encourage everyone you know to get tested!

To find testing sites in your area go to: www.hivtest.cdc.gov/

National Black HIV/AIDS Day is TODAY!

Advocacy, Awareness Days, HIV Testing

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Throughout the year, there are several days that are dedicated to creating awareness about HIV/AIDS and the importance of getting tested. Today is one of those days– National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day!

This day is dedicated to mobilizing the Black community to get educated, get tested, get involved and get treated! For more information on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day click here!

Presently among Blacks, women account for 30% of new HIV infections while men account for 70% of new HIV infections. That being said, recent studies show that infection rates in Black heterosexual women have gone down, which is a great victory! However, there is more work to be done as black women are still more affected by HIV more than any other race or ethnicity group.

It is important to raise awareness in your community about HIV no matter what race/ethnicity you identify with. Take advantage of this campaign as an opportunity to encourage your friends and family to get tested for HIV. It could save their life. 

Click here to find HIV testing locations near you!