STD/HIV/TB SECTION
National HIV Testing Day – June 27, 2016
Background
National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), held annually
on June 27, began in 1995 to promote HIV
testing and early diagnosis. The National
Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA)
originally sponsored the observance. Now the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
sponsors NHTD. To maximize testing
opportunities, many agencies schedule testing
dates before, during or after NHTD.
More than 1.2 million people are living with HIV
in the U.S. with about one in seven of those that
are unaware of their infections. With early
diagnosis, individuals can be placed in
treatment and care resulting in better health
outcomes. Persons in treatment had a 96
percent reduction in transmission rate
compared to persons not on treatment.
How Organizations/Clinics Can
Participate
Organizations and clinics may wish to provide or
host activities that can help raise awareness
about HIV/AIDS and provide HIV testing
opportunities within their communities.
Activities that community clinics and
organizations may choose to provide or host is:
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HIV testing allowed on a walk-in basis;
HIV testing clinics expand their testing
hours for a day or week;
Rapid HIV testing opportunities arranged at
community events;
Electronic communication through social
media outlets and web pages about HIV
prevention, testing and treatment;
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Articles/editorials/news releases in
newspapers, newsletters, bulletins and on
line blogs about HIV testing;
Street and community outreach to provide
referrals for HIV testing; and,
Public exhibits to distribute HIV testing
education materials and provide incentives
to get tested.
HIV/AIDS Facts for Minnesota and
U.S.
CDC estimates that over 1.2 million Americans
are living with HIV, and about one in eight of
this total are unaware of their HIV infection.
In Minnesota, cumulatively as of Dec. 31, 2015:
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8,215 people are estimated to be living with
HIV/AIDS in Minnesota, which includes:
▪ 4,349 living with HIV (Non- AIDS)
▪ 3,866 living with AIDS
In Minnesota, 294 cases of HIV infection
reported in 2015:
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More than 1 in 4 new cases already had
AIDS or nearly so at the time they were
tested in 2015 (Late testers)
In 2015, 33 percent of African-born, 28
percent of whites, 16 percent of African
Americans, and 29 percent of Latinos were
“late testers”
Persons who test late will miss years of
beneficial treatment and may have spread
the disease to others
For more data, see the HIV/AIDS Surveillance
(http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dis
eases/hiv/hivstatistics.html) website.
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NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY – JUNE 27, 2016
For More Information and
Resources
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 443 H
Washington, D.C. 20201
1-800-232-4636; TTY: 1-888-232-6348
Email: [email protected]
AIDS.gov: National HIV Testing Day (NHTD)
(https://www.aids.gov/news-andevents/awareness-days/hiv-testing-day/)
Minnesota Department of Health
STD/HIV/TB Section
PO Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
651-201-5414
www.health.state.mn.us/hiv
To obtain this information in a different format, call:
651-201-5414.
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