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