Free HIV tests Feb 7 & 8: 2011 National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Published on Mon, Feb 7, 2011Read More County & State
“It Takes a Village to Fight HIV/AIDS”
HIV tests at Snohomish Health District offices in Everett & Lynnwood
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. --- In support of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Snohomish Health District (SHD) will put awareness to work on Monday, Feb. 7, and Tuesday, Feb. 8, by offering prevention information and free anonymous or confidential HIV tests to Snohomish County residents who qualify.
Staff Health Educators will offer “rapid” HIV antibody testing by appointment only on
v Feb. 7 – Lynnwood 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
@ Snohomish Health District, 6101 200th SW, Suite 100
Staff Health Educators will offer walk-in “rapid” HIV antibody testing on
v Feb. 8 – Everett 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
@ Snohomish Health District, 3020 Rucker Ave., Suite 106
The rapid HIV antibody test, adopted in 2004 by the Health District, requires only a drop of blood pricked from a finger. Test results are available within 30 minutes. Traditionally, a free rapid HIV antibody test is available only to those individuals who have high-risk activities in their lives. For example, injection drug users, men who have sex with men, individuals who have sex with these two populations, or a sexual partner of someone who is already HIV+ would qualify for no-fee testing.
On these special days, at the SHD Everett and Lynnwood sites, the Health District will offer free tests to any person 14 years of age and older who has been at risk through unprotected sexual activity and/or who has ever injected drugs, even one time. The testing program welcomes members of the black community to learn their status and invest in their own sexual health. No ID is required, but individuals must be at least 14 years of age.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a serious threat to the black community in America.
v AIDS remains the third leading cause of death among Black Americans ages 35-44.
v Black Americans make up about 13% of the US population, but account for nearly 49% of all new HIV infections.
v Currently black men have an HIV incidence rate 6 times that of as white men, and black women have an HIV incidence rate 15 times that of as white women.
Here in Washington state, the HIV/AIDS data in the black community reflect two populations: native-born, non-Hispanic individuals and those who were born in another country.
v Native-born black Washingtonians make up about 4% of the state population, but account for nearly 20% of all new HIV infections.
v The rate among foreign-born blacks is almost 1/3 of all new infections among the state-wide black HIV+ cases.
v More than 4% of the Washington state HIV+ native-born black community lives in Snohomish County.
v Approximately 7% of the Washington state HIV+ foreign-born black community lives in Snohomish County.
The time for action is now. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day encourages members of the black communities nationwide to get educated, get tested, get involved and get treated.
During a standard week, the Health District offers rapid tests, oral swab, and standard blood draw tests by appointment Monday through Friday. Rapid tests also are offered on Tuesday evenings through our walk-in clinic. Appointments: 425.339.5298.
More information:
national data, www.aids.gov
Washington state data, www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/hiv/statistics/factsheets/default.htm
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, www.blackaidsday.org
HIV/AIDS and the African American community, www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/index.htm.
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.
HIV tests at Snohomish Health District offices in Everett & Lynnwood
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. --- In support of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Snohomish Health District (SHD) will put awareness to work on Monday, Feb. 7, and Tuesday, Feb. 8, by offering prevention information and free anonymous or confidential HIV tests to Snohomish County residents who qualify.
Staff Health Educators will offer “rapid” HIV antibody testing by appointment only on
v Feb. 7 – Lynnwood 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
@ Snohomish Health District, 6101 200th SW, Suite 100
Staff Health Educators will offer walk-in “rapid” HIV antibody testing on
v Feb. 8 – Everett 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
@ Snohomish Health District, 3020 Rucker Ave., Suite 106
The rapid HIV antibody test, adopted in 2004 by the Health District, requires only a drop of blood pricked from a finger. Test results are available within 30 minutes. Traditionally, a free rapid HIV antibody test is available only to those individuals who have high-risk activities in their lives. For example, injection drug users, men who have sex with men, individuals who have sex with these two populations, or a sexual partner of someone who is already HIV+ would qualify for no-fee testing.
On these special days, at the SHD Everett and Lynnwood sites, the Health District will offer free tests to any person 14 years of age and older who has been at risk through unprotected sexual activity and/or who has ever injected drugs, even one time. The testing program welcomes members of the black community to learn their status and invest in their own sexual health. No ID is required, but individuals must be at least 14 years of age.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a serious threat to the black community in America.
v AIDS remains the third leading cause of death among Black Americans ages 35-44.
v Black Americans make up about 13% of the US population, but account for nearly 49% of all new HIV infections.
v Currently black men have an HIV incidence rate 6 times that of as white men, and black women have an HIV incidence rate 15 times that of as white women.
Here in Washington state, the HIV/AIDS data in the black community reflect two populations: native-born, non-Hispanic individuals and those who were born in another country.
v Native-born black Washingtonians make up about 4% of the state population, but account for nearly 20% of all new HIV infections.
v The rate among foreign-born blacks is almost 1/3 of all new infections among the state-wide black HIV+ cases.
v More than 4% of the Washington state HIV+ native-born black community lives in Snohomish County.
v Approximately 7% of the Washington state HIV+ foreign-born black community lives in Snohomish County.
The time for action is now. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day encourages members of the black communities nationwide to get educated, get tested, get involved and get treated.
During a standard week, the Health District offers rapid tests, oral swab, and standard blood draw tests by appointment Monday through Friday. Rapid tests also are offered on Tuesday evenings through our walk-in clinic. Appointments: 425.339.5298.
More information:
national data, www.aids.gov
Washington state data, www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/hiv/statistics/factsheets/default.htm
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, www.blackaidsday.org
HIV/AIDS and the African American community, www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/index.htm.
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.
