Cobb & Douglas Public Health offering free testing on HIV Testing Day

HIV Testing Day, Tuesday, June 27, is recognized as a day to highlight the importance of HIV testing and early diagnosis and to link people to care and treatment. On that day, Cobb & Douglas Public Health (CDPH) invites the community to visit their Walgreens location at 4120 Austell Rd, in Austell for free HIV testing from noon to 6 p.m. Cobb County has been identified as one of the 48 counties with the highest incidence of HIV infection in the country. CDPH aims to engage with the array of diverse communities in Cobb County to End the HIV Epidemic (EHE), a federal initiative to eradicate HIV by 2030.

The 2023 HIV Testing Day theme is “Take the Test & Take the Next Step.”  People who test positive can rapidly start HIV treatment such as antiretroviral therapy (ART) to stay healthy and reduce transmission. It is important for people to take the next step, no matter their test results, to help end the HIV epidemic in the United States. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that only 86% of the 1.1 million people living with HIV in the U.S. are aware of their HIV status. The Georgia HIV Surveillance Summary Report states that 80% of the 193 people diagnosed with HIV in 2021 were among people of color. 

CDPH continues to offer free HIV testing at the Marietta, Smyrna, Acworth-Kennesaw and Douglas Public Health Centers, Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Services have expanded to include free OraQuick HIV self-test kits. These are available for pick up or delivery.

For more information, visit www.cobbanddouglaspublichealth.org or call (770) 514-2815.