Free HIV Tests Available To Residents of Columbia and Greene County

ALBANY, NY (06/17/2010)(readMedia)-- A coalition of health agencies in Columbia and Greene County are planning a week of activities in recognition of June 27, National HIV Testing Day.

The first event sponsored by The Women's Health Project will be held at 6:00pm Thursday, June 17 at the Bliss Towers Community Room. At the free event, information will be presented about Sexual Health: Keeping Yourself Safe and Healthy at any age. Community members are welcome to attend.

During the week of June 21-25, free HIV tests are available at the following locations in Columbia and Greene County:

• Columbia County Department of Health, 325 Columbia Street, Hudson, Tuesday June 22, 4:30p.m. to 5:30p.m.

• Bliss Towers, 41 North 2nd Street, Hudson, Tuesday June 22, 4:30p.m. to 6:30p.m.

• Green County Family Planning, 411 Main Street, Catskill, Wednesday June 23, 9a.m. to 12p.m.

• UHPP Hudson health center, 190 Fairview Avenue, Thursday June 24, 9a.m. to 1p.m.

An estimated 1.1 million people in the United States are living with diagnosed or undiagnosed HIV and AIDS and one out of every five of those people do not know it.

This epidemic reflects especially heavy in minority and undeserved communities. The HIV infection rate among African Americans is seven times higher than among whites, and the rate among Hispanics is three times higher than among whites. While racial disparities persist overall, it is especially seen among African American women, making up about two thirds (64%) of women infected with HIV.

Free HIV testing is being sponsored by Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, Columbia County Department of Health and the Women's Health Project. The Women's Health Project is supported by the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health.

UHPP participation in the Free HIV testing day campaign is also supported by the national GYT campaign-a collaboration between Planned Parenthood Federation of America, MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation. The GYT campaign, which stands for Get Yourself Tested AND Get Yourself Talking aims is to spark a youthful, empowering social movement around getting tested for sexually transmitted infections. It encourages young people to "take control of our lives" by "talking openly about getting tested and getting it done." The GYT campaign has provided free HIV tests to UHPP health centers for this event and sponsors a youth oriented web site and media campaign. More info is available at www.itsyoursexlife.com/gyt

Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood (UHPP) is a community-based non-profit organization providing advocacy, education and medical services for reproductive health care since 1934. In 2009, over 14,000 patients made 24,975 visits to UHPP health centers located in Albany, Hudson and Troy. UHPP health educators present over 300 education programs reaching over 5,000 youth and young adults. UHPP services are delivered with special concern for the underserved.