In efforts to recognize February 7, 2013 as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, several locations around Washington, DC will offer free testing throughout the day with no appointments necessary.

The epidemic disproportionately effects African Americans, according to the D.C. Department of Health, effecting  heterosexual black women more (or black women who have sex with men more.)

A study done by D.C. health officials found that the city’s poorest neighborhoods saw rates nearly double in only two years, going from 6.3 percent to 12.1 percent among the women.

I hope this only proves to you the importance of knowing your status.  Use today as your opportunity to know where you stand. HIV is no longer a death sentence and many who are being properly treated can live to have long and fulfilling lives– but that’s only if you know to get treatment. Please, don’t be too proud to get tested.

Here is a list of testing sites including hours and addresses:

• Whitman-Walker Health Mobile Units
  
  • Anacostia Metro Station
  • 12 pm to 3pm
  • Bachelors Mill- 11-4 8th Street SE
  • 10pm to 12:30am
• Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center
  • 1701 14th Street NW
  • 9am to 5pm
• Max Robinson Center
  • 2301 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE
  • 9am to 5pm

(I will continue to update throughout the day as more locations are made known)

Related articles

• Whitman Walker Health To Observe National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (praisedc.com)
• Silent No More: National Black HIV AIDS Awareness Day February 7 (williamlarsonpharmd.wordpress.com)
• Free HIV/AIDS testing in D.C. area Thursday (wjla.com)