MEDIA RELEASE

Administration Division FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 20, 2012 CONTACT: Suzanne Pate, spate@snohd.org 425.339.8704

Expanded HIV testing in Everett, June 25-30

Free and discounted HIV tests offered in support of National HIV Testing Day
EVERETT, Wash. In support of national and regional campaigns, the Snohomish Health District will expand its HIV antibody testing services to offer free and discounted HIV tests during the week of June 25-30. This special offer is a public health effort to increase the awareness of HIV and promote sexual health. The National HIV Testing Day campaign hopes to reach individuals who have not been tested before or who cannot afford to be tested. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 180,000 to 280,000 people nationwide are HIV-positive but are unaware of their status. Free anonymous and confidential rapid HIV tests will be offered to any person 14 years of age and older who has had risk through unprotected sexual activity and/or has ever injected drugs, even one time. Anyone who does not qualify for a free test will be eligible to receive the $84 test for only $21, paying with exact cash, a personal check, debit or credit card (card services available Monday, Wednesday, Friday only at the STD Clinic). Results will be available within 30 minutes. No appointments are necessary. Snohomish Health District/STD Clinic, Rm 106, 3020 Rucker Ave., Everett 98201 9 a.m - 4 p.m. Monday, June 25; Wednesday, June 27; Thursday, June 28; and Friday, June 29 9 a.m.- 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 26 Clinic is closed noon 1 p.m. each day. Community Health Center, 1019 112th St. S.W., Everett 98204 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 27 Community Health Center, 1424 Broadway Ave., Everett 98201 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Friday, June 29 Bar Myx, 1212 California St., Everett 98201 9 p.m. midnight, Saturday, June 30

The Snohomish Health District offers follow-up counseling and referrals to clients who test positive. A regional campaign to encourage frequent testing for HIV status launches in the next two weeks in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. The Find Your Frequency campaign encourages people at risk for HIV infection to be tested as often as every three months. Knowing your HIV status enables you to seek treatment if necessary, and to take steps to protect yourself and your sexual partners from infection.

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Snohomish Health District HIV Tests Media Release June 20, 2012 Page 2 of 2

The Snohomish Health District typically offers three kinds of tests year around to measure the level of HIV antibodies in the body (not the virus itself): Standard blood draw, oral swab, and rapid finger stick. The standard HIV antibody test and the oral swab test take approximately one week for results; the rapid test gives accurate results during the 30-minute testing appointment. The rapid test will be the primary testing method on June 25-30. Traditionally, a free rapid HIV antibody test is available only to those individuals who have high-risk activities such as injection drug use, sex between men, sex with these two populations, or a sexual partner of someone who is already HIV-positive. Today, 31 years after HIV was first diagnosed, it is ever more important for people to take an active role in their own health decisions. The National Association of People with AIDS sponsors National HIV Testing Day, June 27, to encourage at-risk individuals to receive voluntary HIV counseling and testing. Established in 1959, the Snohomish Health District works for a safer and healthier community through disease prevention, health promotion, and protection from environmental threats. Find more information about the Health District at www.snohd.org, and about HIV at www.hhs.gov/aidsawarenessdays/index.html. [SIDEBAR] In Washington state, non-Hispanic Blacks are 3% of the general population but account for 17% of all new cases Hispanics are 9% of the general population but account for 16% of new cases. 1 Between 2006 and 2010, new HIV cases averaged 553 per year statewide.1 Men who have sex with other men accounted for almost 60% of all HIV infections among male adults and adolescents in 2009.2
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http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/150-007-WAHIVEpidemic.pdf www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/basic.htm

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