COLUMBUS – Free HIV testing is available Wednesday at several central Ohio locations in recognition of National HIV Testing Day.
Columbus Public Health is teaming up with Walgreens, AIDS Health Care Foundation, Equitas Health, National African American Male Wellness Initiative, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital to conduct the event, which is designed to raise awareness about the importance of testing to reduce new infections.
Testing locations and times:
Columbus Public Health Take Care Down There Clinic
240 Parsons Ave. (1-5 p.m.)Walgreens
3583 E. Broad St. (10 a.m.-7 p.m.)
1280 Demorest Rd. (10 a.m.-7 p.m.)Equitas Health
4400 N. High St. (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)Out of the Closet
1230 N. High St. (10 a.m.-7 p.m.)African American Male Wellness Initiative “Let’s Talk” Event
740 E. Long St. (6-8 p.m.)
Health officials say the key to reducing new HIV infections is getting tested and knowing your HIV status.
If a person is HIV positive, with proper medical care, they can live long and healthy lives. A person who is HIV negative can use PrEP, a daily pill that is up to 99 percent effective at preventing HIV and condoms to reduce the risk of new infections.
As of 2016, there were 4,964 people living with HIV infection in Franklin County with 199 newly diagnosed cases that year, Columbus health officials said.