PRESS RELEASE
New York State Department of Health Launches Free HIV Self-test Giveaway Campaign and Encourages People to Know Their Status In Recognition of National HIV Testing Day
The Department's Free HIV Self-Test Giveaway Campaign Coincides with National HIV Testing Day and Empowers Individuals to Take Control of Their Sexual Health
Individuals Interested in a Free HIV Self-Test can Take the Eligibility Survey Here
ALBANY, N.Y. (June 27, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health recognizes today as National HIV Testing Day and encourages everyone to know their status. This year's theme is, "Level up your self-love: check your status." The theme emphasizes the importance of self-value and individuals honoring their health needs with compassion, respect, and self-love. To coincide with National HIV Testing Day, the New York State Department of Health has launched another free HIV self-test giveaway campaign.
"Knowing how to prevent and control the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is the 'freedom to know' that can help people talk openly with their sexual partners and providers and to take control of their sexual health," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "HIV testing, including self-testing, is the first step everyone can take to know their status. HIV self-test kits allow people to learn their status quickly and conveniently in the privacy of their own home."
The digital awareness campaign includes social media ads, including on Facebook and Instagram, as well as banner and search ads.
The campaign highlights the importance of HIV self-testing as a tool to empower individuals to take control of their sexual health, to protect the health of their sexual and needle-sharing partners, and reduce the transmission of HIV. HIV self-tests are easily accessible and available to persons who may not seek out traditional in-person HIV testing services.
The populations prioritized during this giveaway include cisgender Latinas, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning communities, and cisgender Black women.
Eligible participants will be emailed a discount code and instructions for redeeming a free HIV self-test kit via the OraSure Technologies, Inc. website. Participants who are ineligible will be referred to the AIDS Institute website for information on HIV testing and additional resources.
HIV testing is a point of entry that links people to the HIV care continuum. Those at greater risk for HIV can also access HIV prevention tools such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), condoms, and other behavioral interventions.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a medication that can prevent HIV and promote sexual health for New Yorkers who are at risk of HIV. PrEP is a safe, affordable, and effective medication that prevents the sexual transmission of HIV.
New York State leads the nation in the number of individuals prescribed HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medications among those estimated to benefit from PrEP. Research has demonstrated that PrEP remains extremely effective at eliminating the possibility of transmitting HIV from one person to another, however, rates of PrEP uptake vary across populations in the State. In Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, young men who have sex with men, cisgender and transgender women, and individuals under the age of 40 access PrEP at far lower rates than their White counterparts, even as new diagnosis of HIV increase in these same groups.
The Department's AIDS Institute continues to work with community partners and providers to identify strategies to ensure equitable access to PrEP across the entire State. Medicaid and most insurance plans cover all costs for oral PrEP, which include appointment fees, lab tests and medication. Additionally, the Department offers a PrEP Assistance Program (PrEP-AP), which includes information about payment options, and drug manufacturers offer assistance as well.
Individuals interested in receiving a free HIV self-test kit can click here to see if they are eligible to receive a free HIV self-test kit mailed directly to their home.
Additional information and resources about HIV testing are also available to all New Yorkers at the Department's website.
To locate a free, confidential HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), or hepatitis test, visit gettested.cdc.gov.
To learn more about the AIDS Institute and HIV, visit health.ny.gov.
Source: New York State Department of Health - NY.gov
https://www.health.ny.gov/press/releases/2024/2024-06-27_hiv_seft_test_campaign.htm
For more HIV and AIDS News visit...
Positively Positive - Living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS News |
