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THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN BAY OBSERVES NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY 2022

June 23, 2022

Panama City, FL—National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) is observed each year on June 27 to encourage people to be aware of their HIV status so that they can take control of their health. This year’s NHTD theme, “HIV Testing is Self-Care.” The theme highlights that HIV testing is an act of self-care. Knowledge of status is the gateway to engaging in prevention or treatment services that enable individuals, regardless of their status to live a long and healthy life. 

In 2020, 3504 people were diagnosed with HIV in Florida. At the end of that year, 117,477 Floridians were confirmed to be living with HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that an additional 18,200 Floridians were living with HIV but unaware of it. 

Everyone ages 13–64 should get tested at least once, and some people should get tested more often. Knowing your HIV status is only the beginning. What you do to stay healthy after that largely depends on your results. Earlier diagnosis of HIV leads to more successful treatment, so getting tested and learning your HIV status is crucial to your health. 

Knowing your status is the first step toward effective HIV prevention. People living with HIV who take antiretroviral medication as prescribed and achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partners. People without HIV should talk to a health care provider to determine appropriate prevention strategies, which might include taking PrEP, using condoms and/or getting retested regularly. 

"Caring for the well-being of ourselves and our communities is vital," said Sandon S. Speedling, MHS, CPM, CPH, Administrator and Health Officer, Florida Department of Health in Bay County. “Taking an HIV test is an important tool in this effort and gives you powerful information about how to take care of your health." 

Observe NHTD with us! 

The Florida Department of Health in Bay County will be participating in the following events: 

Date: June 23 – Holmes County

Event Activities: Incentives, information, and At-Home Test Kits,

Address: Piggly Wiggly - 911 N Waukesha St, Bonifay, FL 32425

Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm 

 

Date: June 24 – Bay County

Event Activities: Rapid HIV/Hep-C Testing, Incentives, information, and At-Home Test Kits

Address: Words Greatest Baby Shower hosted by Healthy Start - 3203 Minnesota Ave, Panama City, FL 32405

Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm 

 

Date: June 24 – Jackson County

Event Activities: Rapid HIV/Hep-C Testing, Incentives, information, and At-Home Test Kits

Address: Grocery Outlet – In partnership with BASIC of NWFL - 4230 Lafayette St C, Marianna, FL 32446

Time: 2:00pm – 6:00pm

 

Date: June 26 – Bay County

Event Activities: Incentives, information, and At-Home Test Kits.

Address: Runaway Island – Event is hosted by – Drag Me To Brunch of Bay County - 14521 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32413

Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm

 

Date:  June 27 – Gulf County

Event Activities: Rapid HIV/Hep-C Testing, Incentives, information, and At-Home Test Kits

Address: Gulf County Health Department – 2475 Garrison Ave, Port St Joe, FL 32456

Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm Eastern Time

 

Date:  June 28 – Calhoun County

Event Activities: Rapid HIV/Hep-C Testing, Incentives, information, and At-Home Test Kits

Address:  Calhoun County Health Department - 19611 FL-20 W, Blountstown, FL 32424

Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm

 

Date:  June 29 – Bay County

Event Activities: Rapid HIV/Hep-C Testing, Incentives, information, and At-Home Test Kits

Address: Piggly Wiggly – 1350 15th St, Panama City, FL 32401

Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm

 

Date:  June 30 – Washington County

Event Activities: Rapid HIV/Hep-C Testing, Incentives, information, and At-Home Test Kits

Address: Brickyard Market – In partnership with BASIC of NWFL - 1377 Brickyard Rd, Chipley, FL 32428

Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm

 

Protect yourself. Get tested. Know your status. Learn what’s next. 

We have the power to both prevent and treat HIV. For more information, call 850-872-4455 or 1-800-FLA-AIDS or visit or KnowYourHIVStatus.com.

About the Florida Department of Health

The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit FloridaHealth.gov.

 

 

 

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