World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV, and commemorate people who have died. More than 1.2 million people in United States are living with HIV and nearly one in eight of them does not know it. The only way to know for sure whether you have HIV is to get tested. World AIDS Day is a global initiative to raise awareness, fight prejudice, and improve education about HIV and AIDS. The 2016 theme is “Leadership, Commitment, Impact.”

The Coastal Health District Prevention Program will offer free and confidential rapid HIV testing from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, December 1, at the  Chatham County Health Department located at 1395 Eisenhower Drive in Savannah.

Whether you are actively dating or in a committed relationship, you can take these simple, effective steps to help prevent HIV infection for you and your partner:
• Use condoms every time you have sex.
• Get an HIV test, which is free and confidential.
• Be monogamous.
• Do not abuse alcohol or drugs.
• Talk to your doctor about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if you think you are at risk for HIV.

For more information, please call Diane DeVore at (912) 353-3276 or email Diane.Devore@dph.ga.gov.