the florida department of health IN lee OBSERVEd NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY 2022

Fort Myers, Fla. — National HIV Testing Day is observed each year on June 27 to encourage people to be aware of their HIV status. This year’s theme, “HIV Testing is Self-Care” highlights that there are many options available when it comes to HIV testing. The Florida Department of Health works with community partners throughout the state to help provide all Floridians access to the right tools for learning their HIV status and living healthy.

In 2020, 3,504 people were diagnosed with HIV in Florida. At the end of that year, 117,477 Floridians were confirmed to be living with HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that this accounts for about 86.5% of all people with HIV in Florida, meaning that there are many Floridians who have yet to be diagnosed. Earlier diagnosis of HIV leads to more successful treatment, so getting tested and learning your HIV status is self-caring.

People can reduce their risk for HIV by using appropriate prevention strategies, such as using condoms, getting tested regularly and taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Contact a health care provider to find out if PrEP is recommended for you. People living with HIV who take antiretroviral medication as prescribed and achieve an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partners.

In observance of National HIV Testing Day, the Florida Department of Health in Lee County (FDOH-Lee) will host a free HIV testing event at our Pondella site. In addition, FDOH-Lee, in collaboration with CAN Community Health and the McGregor Clinic, will provide free HIV testing at two Walgreens locations in Lee County. Planned testing events are as follows:

• Monday, June 27, 2022, from 9:00am to 2:00pm at FDOH-Lee, 83 Pondella Road, North Fort Myers, FL 33903
• Monday, June 27, 2022, from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at Walgreens, 805 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33904
• Monday June 27, 2022, from 10:00am to 7:00pm at Walgreens, 3593 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Protect yourself. Get tested. Know your status. Learn what is next.

We have the power to both prevent and treat HIV. For more information, call 1-239-461-6100 or 1-800-FLA-AIDS or visit the FDOH Lee HIV/AIDS website or www.KnowYourHIVStatus.com.

About the Florida Department of Health

The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.