Oakland County Offers Free Testing on National HIV Testing Day

The Oakland County Health Division will offer free HIV tests with same-day results from 3-7 p.m. Thursday at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, Community Education Department and 1 William Carls Drive in Commerce Township.

The event is being held in conjunction with National HIV Testing Day.

There are more than 15,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in the state, the Michigan Department of Community Health said in a quarterly report.

Every year on June 27, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention around the country organize events for National HIV Testing Day.

In 1995, the National Association of People with AIDS launched National Aids Day to raise awareness of the increasing number of HIV cases in minority and other affected populations.

There are more than 1 million people in the United States living with HIV, and one in six are unaware that they’re infected and it’s an important public health issue that they know their status, health officials say.

Kathy Forsley, Health Division manager and health officer tells Patch: “Most new infections occur among minorities and young adults. Those with HIV who know their status can take steps to protect others and live longer, healthier lives with early treatment and care.”   

The annual campaign was created to encourage people of all ages to “Take the Test, Take Control.”

For more  information about HIV testing in Oakland County and prevention efforts, call  (248) 858-5416 or 888-350-0900, Ext. 85416 (toll free), visit the Oakland County Health Division web site, or find up-to-date public health information on Facebook and Twitter @publichealthOC.

For more general information about HIV/AIDS and how you can get tested, go here.