Stanislaus County- The Public Health Department of the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency is offering free HIV counseling and testing on June 27 in recognition of National HIV Testing Day (NHTD). All counseling and testing is confidential, and will be conducted at the HIV Clinic located at 820 Scenic Drive from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Public Health staff will also be hosting an HIV-information table just inside the main entrance to the Health Services Agency at 830 Scenic Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Anyone interested in taking the HIV test can visit the information table and receive a token that can be redeemed for a free pre-paid phone card after the test is completed.

Across the country, thousands of HIV counseling and testing sites, state and local health departments, and community-based HIV/AIDS service providers will participate in NHTD events by holding health fairs, providing community outreach, and hosting special test-related events. Dr. John Walker, the Public Health Officer, notes that “The spread of HIV and AIDS has changed dramatically during the past decade. More and more, infection is occurring in hetero-sexual persons.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 180,000 to 280,000 people nationwide are HIV-positive but unaware of their status. HIV counseling and testing gives people the tools they need to protect their own and their partner’s health. It also helps people who test negative get the information they need to stay uninfected. NHTD urges people to take the test and take control of their health and lives on June 27.

Please call the Stanislaus County Public Health Department at (209) 558-8866 or visit the HSA website at www.hsahealth.org for more information.