Community Corner

DeKalb, Fulton Partner for Free HIV Testing Events

Several events will be held in Decatur in recognition of World AIDS Day.

In recognition of World AIDS Day, Fulton and DeKalb County health agencies will hold events encouraging people to get tested for HIV and AIDS.

The events run Nov. 28-Dec. 1, World AIDS Day. They coincide with the World AIDS Campaign, which focuses on “Zero AIDS Related Deaths.”

Planned events include:

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  • Wednesday, November 28- 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., free HIV testing will be available at the DeKalb Addiction Clinic, 455 Winn Way, Decatur, GA 30030
  • Wednesday, November 28 - 6:00 p.m., at Morehouse College Sale Hall, 830 Westview Dr., Atlanta, GA 30314. A high-energy, one-hour fashion show where designers will compete for having created the best design/garment out of non-lubricated, non-packaged, expired condoms to promote safe and healthy sexual decisions to reduce the social stigma surrounding condom usage.
  •  Thursday, November 29 – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., free HIV testing will be available at the DeKalb Board of Health Vinson Clinic, 440 Winn Way, Decatur, GA 30030
  • Thursday, November 29 – 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., free HIV testing will be available at the Aldredge Health Center, 99 Jesse Hill Jr. Dr., Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Friday, November 30 - 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., at the Auburn Avenue Research Library, 404, 101 Auburn Ave, Atlanta, GA 30303. A World AIDS Day Town Hall Meeting will bring together HIV/AIDS service organizations, healthcare agencies and community members to discuss the state of HIV in Atlanta.  Participants will have the opportunity to ask panelists questions about how the counties plan to “Get to Zero”.
  •  Saturday, December 1 – 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., free HIV testing will be available at the Greenbriar Mall, 2841 Greenbriar Pkwy., Atlanta, GA 30331
  • Saturday, December 1. 2012 – 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., free HIV testing will be available at South DeKalb Mall, 2801 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30034

In January 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded a $4.5 million grant to Fulton County to implement high impact HIV prevention programs in both Fulton and DeKalb Counties.  

The overall goal of the grant is to identify more residents who are HIV infected but are unaware of their status and to link those individuals with medical services and treatment. The CDC estimates that over one in five HIV infected persons are unaware of their status.

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In Georgia, Fulton County was eligible for the grant because the number of HIV infected persons in the County represented greater than 30 percent of all of the HIV infections in the 28-county Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The grant funding will be phased in over five years. 

The 2012 World AIDS Campaign focuses on “Zero AIDS Related Deaths” signifying a push towards greater access to treatment for all. 

Despite increases in the total number of people living with HIV in the United States in recent years, the annual number of new HIV infections has remained relatively stable. However, new infections continue at a far too high level, with an estimated 56,300 Americans becoming infected with HIV each year. 

For more information about the local World AIDS Day events, call (404) 613-1468 or log onto www.fultoncountygahealth.org.  For more information about World AIDS Day, visit http://www.worldaidsday.org.


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