Each year on June 27, AIDSVu is proud to recognize National HIV Testing Day by educating people about the impact of HIV, and encouraging individuals to get tested. This year represents an important milestone for the U.S., marking the 35th anniversary of the country’s first AIDS diagnosis – a reminder of the progress we have made in addressing HIV, but also a call to action. Testing remains an important part of HIV prevention, and is the only way for you to know your status.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone ages 13 to 64 get tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime. However, less than one-third of people in the U.S. report ever having been tested – a troubling statistic when one in eight Americans living with HIV do not know they are infected.
You can get involved in National HIV Testing Day in a few ways:
- Educate family and friends. Share AIDSVu’s NHTD infographic, which highlights key statistics about HIV in the U.S.
- Know your status. Visit AIDSVu.org/testing to find a testing site near you.
- Understand HIV where you live. AIDSVu recently launched new maps, including new diagnoses maps for 37 cities, and transmission mode data at the state level for new HIV diagnoses. You can also view our latest policy map, which shows the percentage of people in the U.S. who have ever been tested for HIV.