Tennesseans Urged to Know Your Status

The Tennessee Department of Health will join the nation on June 27, 2008, to recognize National HIV Testing Day. The goal of the annual National HIV Testing Day Campaign is to educate the public about HIV counseling and testing, and to encourage people to learn their HIV status by getting tested.

“The number of newly diagnosed cases of HIV and AIDS in Tennessee is particularly sobering, especially considering the numerous advances that have been made in the last decade,” said Health Commissioner Susan Cooper, MSN, RN. “Only through knowledge and awareness of one’s status can we as a state begin to turn the tide and lessen the human toll where this illness is concerned.”
At the end of 2006, 13,521 persons were estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS in Tennessee. In that same year, the most recent for which data are available, Tennessee had an estimated 1,002 newly diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimates that 250,000 people nationwide are HIV-positive but are unaware of their status.
“There are people living with HIV/AIDS in every county in Tennessee, and the number continues to increase each year,” said Jeanece Seals, director of the Health Department’s HIV/AIDS/STD office. “HIV counseling and testing enable people with HIV to take steps to protect their own health and that of their partners, and help people who test negative get the information they need to stay HIV-free.”
National Testing Day organizers especially want to reach out to communities at increased risk of HIV infection, including African American and Latino populations, both of which are disproportionately affected with HIV when compared to other demographic groups in the United States.
With new rapid-test technology, individuals can learn their HIV status in as little as 20 minutes. This is an important step toward preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and getting HIV-positive individuals into medical care that can improve and prolong their lives. For more information about confidential HIV testing, contact your local health department. A list of county health departments can be found on the Web at http://health.state.tn.us/localdepartments.htm.
Here are some steps individuals can take to protect themselves from HIV:

• Become educated about HIV/AIDS. Learn the facts about transmitting and preventing HIV.
• Get tested for HIV and know your status.
• Encourage your partners to get tested for HIV and know their status.
• Encourage your family, friends, co-workers and church members to get tested and get involved with HIV prevention.
• Use condoms if you are unaware of your partner’s HIV status. Make this a priority and refuse unsafe sex as an option. If you are HIV negative, this is a necessary step to remain negative.
• Seek treatment if you are HIV positive.

To learn more about the Department of Health’s HIV prevention and care activities go to http://health.state.tn.us/STD/std.htm.