Campaign Spreads "Get Tested" Message on National HIV Testing Day

National HIV Testing Day is June 27, 2008, an opportunity to raise awareness that all Americans, ages 13-64, should get tested for HIV as part of their routine medical care.

The National HIV Testing Mobilization Campaign will participate in many activities to encourage individuals to get tested and know their HIV status. HIV testing promotion activities will include the following:

• In partnership with HBCU Connect, an online networking center for students, faculty, and alumni of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), the Campaign will post an online article and send an e-mail message to more than 280,000 HBCU Connect members about the importance of getting tested for HIV.
• The Campaign will host an HIV testing exhibit booth at the Federal Asian Pacific American Council's 23rd annual national leadership training conference in Brooklyn, NY. This event brings together hundreds of Asian and Pacific Islander government and business leaders each year.
• In partnership with the International Federation of Black Prides (IFBP), the Campaign will help promote HIV testing at Black Pride events being held across the country.
• The Campaign will distribute HIV/AIDS educational materials and testing information at the Progressive National Baptist Convention's southwest regional conference in Houston, TX, and the Free Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship international convention in Birmingham, AL.
• In cooperation with the Latino Commission on AIDS, the Campaign is developing a public service announcement promoting HIV testing to Hispanic audiences which will be disseminated to English- and Spanish-language media outlets.
• In partnership with the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) Health Education Resource Center, the Campaign is developing a billboard promoting HIV testing that will be placed in a prominent location on the Pine Ridge Reservation in western South Dakota as well as a radio public service announcement encouraging Native Americans to get tested for HIV.
• The Campaign will distribute HIV testing information at the American School Counselor Association annual conference in Atlanta, GA. School counselors are encouraged to help young people make healthy decisions, such as the decision to abstain from sexual activity and get tested for HIV.
• The Campaign will collaborate with the Office of the Region IX Regional Health Administrator to display public service announcements about HIV testing on a giant Trinitron screen in the lobby of the San Francisco Federal Office Building and host an exhibit booth to raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing.
• The Campaign will participate in the launch of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Bronx-wide HIV Testing Initiative on June 27. This 3-year initiative is a concerted effort in the Bronx to implement the CDC's recommendations for HIV testing.