3 Easy Ways to Take Action Against HIV/AIDS

3 Easy Ways to Take Action Against HIV/AIDS

Take action against HIV/AIDS by participating in National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) on Friday, June 27! HIV/AIDS is a serious issue for women and girls, who make up about 15% of the nearly 180,000 people who do not know they are HIV-positive. Treatment can help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives. This year, the theme of NHTD is Take the Test. Take Control. This annual observance is an opportunity to promote HIV testing, so AIDS.gov and the Office on Women’s Health are encouraging women and girls to get tested and to seek care and treatment if they are HIV-positive. Here are three easy ways you can get ready for NHTD. Find an HIV testing site. Before NHTD, find an HIV testing site near you to take a test. You can find HIV testing sites and other services near you with the AIDS.gov HIV Testing Sites & Care Services Locator. Getting tested is quick and often free. Knowing your HIV status is the first step to prevent the spread of HIV. Use social media. Using hashtag #NHTD, tweet to encourage people across the country to take action on NHTD. Here are some tweets to get you started: National HIV Testing Day is June 27. The 2014 theme: “Take the Test. Take Control.” http://1.usa.gov/1mWPYZY #NHTD On National HIV Testing Day, urge friends & family in your life to take an HIV test. Find a local site: http://bit.ly/hivlocator #NHTD Find an #NHTD event near you: http://1.usa.gov/1rOklZq You can also change your profile picture and cover photo using images from the AIDS.gov Facebook page. And don’t forget to share the Office on Women’s Health infographic about improving the lives of women and teen girls who are HIV-positive. Attend or plan an event. Find an event or list your event in the National HIV Testing DayEvent Calendar, and use NHTD posters to promote your event. You can also add the NHTD logo or buttons to your materials and website. Check out the links below for more information. Learn about HIV/AIDS basics and how HIV/AIDS impacts women, by race and age, onwomenshealth.gov. Visit AIDS.gov to learn about the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and how the Affordable Care Act affects people living with HIV. Check out CDC’s Act Against AIDS campaigns, which are working to promote testing and end stigma. Thank you for taking action for National HIV Testing Day — and every day! The Office on Women’s Health and AIDS.gov Team