Los Angeles – AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will hold more than a dozen of events nationwide, promoting HIV prevention, commemorating National HIV Testing Day, established on June 27th.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, based in Los Angeles, California, is known for being the largest global AIDS organization. On the next days, the Foundation will be the host of a series of events promoting HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.

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National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) – an annual observance to promote HIV testing. The National Association of People with AIDS founded it in 1995. Credit: Sister Love

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 1.2 million people in the United States live with HIV, and more than 156,000 are unaware of it. Annually, almost 50,000 people become infected with the virus. “We know that HIV testing and treatment are the best ways to prevent the spread of the virus that burdens communities and, if left unsuppressed, threatens thousands of lives annually,” said Alexander Goncalves, Director of Public Health for Testing Services for AHF, according to Business Wire.

Taking a test could prevent thousands of people of getting infected

He also mentioned that recent reports show that, in some regions, people are being diagnosed with AIDS. This happens because they don’t get tested so the virus can be detected and treated at an early stage. Thereby, this year’s mission of the National HIV Testing Day is to bring attention to the importance of taking an HIV test.

To do this, the foundation will pull off events across the country to create awareness on the importance of everyone knowing their HIV status, and to know where or how they can be treated in case of a positive result. This adds up efforts apart from their regular everyday testing services and hours at their centers nationwide.

The CDC also stated that one on seven people are unaware of their HIV status. This reveals that more than 90 percent of new HIV acquired infections in the United States could be prevented by individuals taking a test and, when diagnosed, look for medical care. The earlier the person begins the treatment, the more possibilities they have to suppress the virus.

AHF events include talks, free HIV testing, condom distribution and even a hula-hoop challenge. The complete list can be seen here.

Source: Business Wire