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National HIV Testing Day Awareness Message
Proclamation by the President: National HIV Testing Day, 2004
An estimated
180,000–280,000 people in the United States are HIV positive
and don’t even know it.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is pleased to
support National HIV Testing Day on June 27. This annual observance
is critical to the fight against HIV/AIDS because it presents an
opportunity for people across this country to learn their HIV status
and to gain the knowledge they need to take control of their health
and their lives. It is also an invaluable opportunity to dispel
the myths and dismantle the fear and stigma associated with HIV
testing, and to reach those who have never been tested or who have
engaged in high-risk behavior since their last test.
This year’s theme, "It's Better to Know" is a call
to action. It is better to know, because:
- Too many Americans with HIV are diagnosed late in the course
of their infection, when they may not be able to fully benefit
from life-prolonging treatments
- HIV testing can reduce new infections when HIV-positive persons
become aware of their status and take the necessary precautions
to stop spreading the disease
- HIV testing is easier, more accessible, and less invasive than
ever
For more information on HIV testing, or to find a testing location
in your area, visit:
www.hivtest.org, a service
provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For more information about National HIV Testing Day and its
sponsor, the National Association of People with AIDS, click
here.
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