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Kent County, Michigan
For Immediate Release:Nov. 30, 2023
Contact: Steve Kelso
PH:616-202-8376
EM:steve.kelso@kentcountymi.gov
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Kent County Health Department Offers Free, Walk-in Testing Opportunity in Recognition of World AIDS Day
GRAND RAPIDS, MI. (Nov. 29, 2023) - In recognition of World AIDS Day, the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) will be offering a free walk-in HIV testing on Friday, December 1, 2023, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m at the KCHD main clinic at 700 Fuller NE in Grand Rapids. All testing will be done by certified test counselors who can answer questions and help connect residents with needed services.
Since the beginning of the AIDS pandemic, almost 700,000 people in the United States have died from the virus. Thanks to improved treatments and infection prevention, the number of cases and deaths has declined dramatically in recent years; however, there is still no cure for the illness and treatment can only help those who know their status.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 20% of the people who have HIV don’t know that they are infected. “People who don’t know they have HIV have a higher risk of serious medical problems and death,” said April Hight, supervisor, Personal Health Services Division, KCHD. “They can also pass the virus to others.”
There are treatments available for people living with HIV that effectively suppress the virus, preventing both illness progression and transmission. PrEP is available for people who may be at risk of getting HIV and reduces the risk of getting the disease by 99% according to the CDC.
Early diagnosis is important to successful outcomes with HIV as the illness damages the immune system over time. “HIV can often go undiagnosed because there may not be any obvious signs and symptoms,” concluded Hight. “That’s why it’s important to get tested regularly, especially if you have multiple sex or needle sharing partners.”
World Aids Day takes place each year on December 1. Started in 1988 as an international day to recognize people around the world who have been affected by HIV, World Aids Day seeks to raise awareness that HIV remains a global health issue. This year’s theme “Rock The Ribbon” encourages people to wear a red ribbon on December 1.
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