Thanks to Kay Rood from the Cal Anderson Park Alliance for passing along information about an important effort that is making Cal Anderson its launch point for a nationwide tour.

SEATTLE, WA—Wednesday and Thursday, Jan 6 & 7—First Stop for the ‘Testing America’ Tour

• local partners: Gay City Health Project and the Center for Multicultural Health
• (time: 11a-3p)–Cal Anderson Park

In an effort to raise local and national awareness about the importance—and ease—of HIV testing and to challenge attitudes about moving toward a streamlined model of HIV testing and counseling nationwide, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is proud to report its launch of a second HIV Testing Tour across the US after its successful completion of its recent and ambitious 14 city AHF Magic Johnson HIV Testing Caravan in mid-2009. AHF’s ‘Testing America’ Tour, a six month, 48 state national cross country HIV testing tour, kicks off with free HIV testing events from 11am to 3pm in Seattle, WA, Wednesday January 6^th (and Thursday January 7^th).

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Free testing will take place on AHF’s new, state-of-the-art ‘Testing America’ mobile HIV testing unit at Seattle’s Cal Anderson Park (1038 East Pine Street, Seattle). AHF is working in conjunction with two Seattle area community groups in the testing effort: the Gay City Health Project, and the Center for MultiCultural Health.

“Working with respected local community partners like Gay City Health Project and the Center for Multicultural Health, we plan on demonstrating just how easy HIV testing can be. At each stop along the way, we will host or participate in free mobile HIV testing events and media events to raise awareness about the importance and ease of testing,” said Azul Mares-DelGrasso, Field Services Manager, National HIV Testing Tour, AHF’s Public Health Division. “After six months on the road, our ‘Testing America’ tour will culminate with a major testing event in New York City on Sunday, June 27^th—National HIV Testing Day.”

During the testing tour, AIDS Healthcare Foundation will also present $1,000 grants to each of the local partners AHF is collaborating with along the way. And throughout the course of the cross country HIV testing tour, HIV testing counselors will also supply a steady stream of updates, videos and images via new media: YouTube, Facebook and Twitter postings from along the route, interviews with local partners, government officials and, when appropriate and available, interviews with people who were tested on the mobile unit. To learn how you can sign up to follow the ‘Testing America’ tour on these social media outlets, please visit www.freehivtest.net.

HIV Statistics in the United States

In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) began recommending routine HIV testing for all people ages 13-64, a recommendation that has not been widely implemented nationwide to date. According to an HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet produced by the Kaiser Family Foundation (“The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the United States”, updated, September, 2009, with statistics through 2007), the CDC reports that:

• There are approximately 1.1 million people currently living with HIV/AIDS in the United States, more than 468,000 of whom are living with an AIDS-defining illness.
• Among the 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS, an estimated 21% do not know they are infected (down from 25% in 2003).
• Many people with HIV are diagnosed late in their illness; in 2006, 36% received an AIDS diagnosis within one year of testing HIV positive.

“It is crucial that people know their HIV status and learn how to avoid becoming infected with HIV; or if they are infected, know their status, and seek medical treatment, if needed,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “AIDS Healthcare Foundation is proud to spearhead this national ‘Testing America’ tour as a collaborative effort to raise awareness—and reduce stigma—around HIV testing.”