Sunday we celebrated Mother’s Day and kicked off National Women’s Health Week (NWHW). The goal of NWHW is to raise awareness about the importance of women’s health and encourage women and girls to make their health a top priority. Women are the foundation of many families, but too often we place the needs of others before our own. NWHW serves as a reminder to take the time to be physically active, eat well, visit a health care professional, avoid risky behaviors, and pay attention to our mental health.
Women are disproportionately impacted by HIV. NWHW gives us an opportunity to talk about HIV among women and raise awareness about HIV testing and the importance of knowing your status.
The Coastal Health District will hold free HIV testing from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, at the Chatham County Health Department located at 1395 Eisenhower Drive in Savannah. Testing is the first step in maintaining a healthy life and reducing the spread of HIV. Results will be available in one minute. A follow-up visit will be scheduled for anyone who tests positive and counseling will be made available to those individuals.
Those getting tested will receive free giveaways. The first 50 people to get tested will receive a $25 gift card to Posh Nail Salon. Staff will also be available to discuss HIV prevention options such as PrEP, the daily pill to prevent HIV.
Around 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and one in eight people do not know they have it. This is an opportunity to raise awareness, encourage people to get the facts, tested, get involved, and get linked to care and treatment services.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. People at higher risk should get tested more often.
As a reminder, HIV testing is free by appointment at all health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties and available Monday through Friday during regular health department hours of operation.
