Department of Health Encourages HIV Testing as part of National HIV Testing Day Observance
PO Box 360 Trenton, NJ 08625-0360
For Release: June 26, 2018
Shereef Elnahal Commissioner
For Further Information Contact: Office of Communications (609) 984-7160
Department of Health Encourages HIV Testing as part of National HIV Testing Day Observance
Doing It My Way – Testing for HIV
“Doing It My Way – Testing for HIV” is the theme of National HIV Testing Day on June 27, and organizations around the state will be holding more than 20 community events featuring free HIV Testing.
“The goal of National HIV Testing Day is to raise awareness of HIV, have more people learn their HIV status, and link them to life-saving medical treatment before they progress to advanced HIV disease,” Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal said. “Highly effective treatments are available that can improve longevity and quality of life for those living with HIV, but testing is the first step.”
Local health departments, federally qualified health centers and community-based organizations around the state will be hosting events to commemorate National HIV Testing Day. Christopher Menschner, Assistant Commissioner of the Department’s Division of HIV, STD, and TB Services will attend the North Jersey Community Research Initiative’s health fair in Newark Wednesday featuring free, confidential HIV testing and HIV education materials.
In Jersey City, the Jersey City Municipal Council, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the AIDS Task Force will jointly hold an HIV testing event offering free HIV testing as well as cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure screening. The event will also feature HIV education and awareness materials. Rutgers University- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Eric B. Chandler Health Center will host a testing and education event in New Brunswick. For a full list of events visit: http://web.doh.state.nj.us/apps2/aids/events.aspx
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and one in seven of them don’t know it. More than 90 percent of new HIV infections in the U.S. could be prevented by testing and diagnosing people who have HIV and ensuring they receive prompt, ongoing care and treatment, according to the CDC.
In New Jersey, more than 37,000 people are living with HIV, and about 10 percent are unaware they have the disease. New Jersey is one of only four states in the nation where 10 percent or fewer of people living with HIV don’t know their status.
The CDC recommends everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested at least once, and those at higher risk should be tested at least once a year. Healthcare professionals should offer an HIV test as part of routine care.
Nearly 80,000 free, confidential rapid HIV tests were administered in New Jersey last year at more than 170 locations. This testing program delivers test results in about 20 minutes, and people can be linked to a PrEP Counselor if HIV negative or HIV Clinic if HIV positive.
Strategies for preventing or reducing risk of HIV infection include:
Seeking HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), if you are HIV negative but at high risk for HIV; there are 24 PrEP Counselors located across the state. Call the NJ AIDS/STD Hotline at 800-624-2377 to find the one nearest you
Adhering to HIV treatment regimens, if you are HIV-infected
Abstaining from sexual activity
Using condoms consistently and correctly
Avoiding sharing needles to inject fluids
Refraining from sharing needles for body piercing or tattoos