State health dept. offering free testing for HIV, STDs Tuesday
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The state health department will offer free testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases at public health departments across the state Tuesday.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is offering the service to coincide with National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, an annual observance to highlight the progress in HIV prevention among African Americans. Officials say that is the group affected by the virus more than any other.
“Among those for whom we have data on their race, African Americans account for 67 percent of the total number of people living with diagnosed HIV in South Carolina, though they represent only 26 percent of the state’s total population,” Ali Mansaray, director for the division of STD, HIV, and Viral Hepatitis, said. “Additionally, among people newly diagnosed with HIV, excluding those with an unknown or other race, 59 percent are African Americans, which is another grave disproportionate burden. It is important to promote testing and prevention messages to reach those who have not yet been tested and don’t know their HIV status.”
The testing is part of DHEC’s Ending the Epidemics initiative focusing on reducing new HIV, STD and hepatitis C infections and helping connect those with health conditions with health care.
To schedule an appointment for free HIV/STD testing on Tuesday, call 1-855-4-SCDHEC (1-855-472-3432) or visit DHEC’s service locator at www.scdhec.gov/HIVLocator. Those who are tested will be screened for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis and trichomoniasis.
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