Free HIV Testing Offered by Planned Parenthood This Week

ALBANY, NY (06/24/2009)(readMedia)-- National HIV Free Testing Day is Saturday, June 27. In recognition of this important national day dedicated to HIV/ AIDS education and prevention, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood will offer free confidential HIV testing, using a rapid finger stick or oral swab test with results in 20 minutes, at its three health centers on the following dates:

--Thursday, June 25, 9am to 11am and 1pm to 4pm at UHPP Hudson health center, 190 Fairview Ave.

--Friday , June 26 8:30am to 4:00pm at UHPP Troy health center, 200 Broadway, Suite 200

--Saturday, June 27 9:00am- 12:00noon UHPP Abany health center, 259 Lark Street

The theme of this year's free testing event is "It's Better to Know! Take Control. Take the Test!

A recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control indicates that while there have been new calls for increased attention to the domestic HIV/AIDS crisis, American concern for this continuing health problem is moving in the "wrong direction." There are currently approcimately 56,300 new HIV infections reported each year and the epidemic continues to strongly and disproportionately affect minority and underserved communties. The infection rate among African Americans is 7 times higher than among whites, and the rate among HIspanics is 3 times that of whites.

UHPP provided over 2,000 HIV tests to individuals at its three health centers in 2008. "With the many effective medications available today, it is most important for people who are sexually active and who have at any time placed themselves at risk of HIV to be tested,"said UHPP Vice President for Patient Services Christine Pluviouse. " With early treatment, individuals can now live longer and with more comfort, while ensuring that the infection is not spread to partners or loved ones."

As National HIV Testing Day approaches on June 27, the Kaiser Family Foundation has new and updated informational resources available on HIV testing:

* Survey Brief: Views and Experiences with HIV Testing in the U.S. takes a deeper look at the U.S. public's attitudes towards and reported experiences with HIV testing, including which groups are most likely to report being tested for HIV, reasons for being tested or not being tested, communication with doctors and partners about HIV/AIDS, information needs related to testing, and perceptions of testing-related stigma. The survey brief is available at http://www.kff.org/hivaids/7926.cfm.

* Survey Brief: Views and Experiences with HIV Testing Among African Americans in the U.S. examines African Americans' reported views and experiences with HIV testing. The U.S. AIDS epidemic has disproportionately affected African Americans, who account for nearly half of new infections, while representing just 12 percent of the U.S. population. The brief highlights trends in African Americans' reported experiences with HIV testing, and differences among African Americans by age and gender. It is available at http://www.kff.org/hivaids/7927.cfm.

HIV Testing in the United States, a fact sheet which provides key testing statistics, testing recommendations as advised by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), testing sites and policies, including state specific information, and a summary of the types of tests available. The fact sheet is available at http://www.kff.org/hivaids/6094.cfm.

Additionally, the Foundation's statehealthfacts.org Web site features key data and information about HIV testing by state, including the share of residents who have received HIV test in the past year or at any point during their lives. The information is available at http://www.statehealthfacts.org/comparecat.jsp?cat=11.