DHSS Press Release

DPH TO OFFER FREE HIV TESTING STATEWIDE FRIDAY, NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY

Results available in 20 minutes at some sites

Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) and community organizations statewide will offer free HIV testing and risk counseling on National HIV Testing Day, June 27. DPH encourages Delawareans to "Take the Test. Take Control," as the first step individuals can take to halt an epidemic that infects one of every 185 Delaware residents.

Free HIV tests and information will be available at locations statewide throughout the week of June 23 (see attached calendar). Rapid HIV testing, which returns results in 20 minutes, will be available at Porter and Georgetown State Service Centers. Traditional blood test results take two weeks. Residents attending National HIV Testing Day events in each of Delaware's three counties will also receive confidential education about personal risk for HIV and AIDS, transmission, prevention and communication strategies.

AIDS, the disease caused by HIV, is the second leading cause of death among Delawareans ages 25-44. Nationwide, two people age 13-25 contract HIV every hour, according to the American Association for World Health. In Delaware, 66 percent of all AIDS cases are due to injected drug use. Sharing needles is one of the highest risk behaviors for HIV transmission, along with unprotected sex with an injected drug user. Preventing unprotected sex is essential to stopping the spread of HIV. African Americans, who comprise less than 20 percent of Delaware's population, represent two-thirds of state AIDS cases. As of May 2003, 75 percent of Delaware's female HIV/AIDS cases were among African Americans.

Testing is a key component of DPH's HIV prevention program. Once individuals know their status, they can take appropriate action to protect themselves and others, such as seeking treatment and changing behaviors.

"The greatest contributing factors in HIV transmission are not knowing you are at risk and not knowing your status," said Maureen E. Dempsey, M.D., DPH director. "Because infected people may not have symptoms early on, the only way to know for sure is to be tested. DPH is committed to assuring that HIV testing is widely available, confidential and accompanied by effective counseling to reduce the possibility of infecting others."

For more information on HIV testing, call the Delaware HIV/STD Hotline at 1-800-422-0429.

NEW CASTLE COUNTY

KENT COUNTY

SUSSEX COUNTY

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.