NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC – December 1 is internationally recognized as World AIDS Day, an annual event designed to unite everyone in the fight against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), show support for people living with HIV and commemorate those who have died from AIDS-related illness.
In honor of World AIDS Day, New Hanover County Health and Human Services will be offering free HIV/STD testing at UNCW on Thursday, December 1 from noon-2 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m. You do not have to be a student to benefit from the free testing, anyone is welcome to attend. Click here to see UNCW testing locations and learn more.
This year, the theme for World AIDS Day is “Putting Ourselves to the Test: Achieving Equity to End HIV.” This theme focuses on addressing inequalities with accessing health care, in particular HIV prevention, treatment and support.
“World AIDS Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, address stigmas and discrimination, along with other barriers to health care, and encourage people to get tested and know their status to help stop the HIV epidemic,” said Health Promotion Supervisor Diana Hills.
Though great strides have been made in the four decades since the first known reported case of AIDS, the disease remains a public health issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as of 2021 there were 38.4 million individuals living with HIV and more than 32 million people have died worldwide from AIDS-related illness. Additionally, stigma and discrimination remain a reality for individuals living with HIV and are causes of the virus’ continued spread, as these factors often create barriers for individuals accessing HIV prevention and treatment efforts.
For more information about New Hanover County Health and Human Services' free on-going HIV/STD testing opportunities, visit Health.NHCgov.com.