Press Release

June 25, 2010

 

State Health Director Encourages Illinoisans to Take the Test, Take Control for National HIV Testing Day

Illinois ranks 7 for highest number of AIDS cases in the nation  

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold is encouraging Illinoisans to recognize National HIV Testing Day this Sunday, June 27, 2010, and to heed the advice of this year’s theme, Take the Test, Take Control. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is sponsoring events around the state to encourage people to get tested and learn their HIV status.

“National HIV Testing Day is observed on June 27 every year to promote HIV testing,” Dr. Arnold said. “This day is an opportunity for people to learn their HIV status and to gain knowledge to take control of their health and their lives.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one out of five people living with HIV in the U.S. is unaware they are infected.

Illinois has the seventh highest number of AIDS cases in the nation, with more than 41,000 reported cases since 1981. Of those diagnosed with AIDS, about 20,000 have died.

As of May 31, 2010, there were almost 60,000 HIV/AIDS cases diagnosed in Illinois. Of the total cases diagnosed:

  • 81% are male
  • 48% black, 35% white, 13% Hispanic
  • 67% were diagnosed between the ages of 25-44 years

Among men, the major risk factor for HIV infection is men who have sex with men, 68 percent, followed by injection drug use, 18 percent. Among women, the major risk factor for HIV infection is heterosexual contact, 55 percent, followed by injection drug use, 44 percent.

To help reduce these numbers, IDPH is promoting free HIV testing, through its partners, on June 27 as part of National HIV Testing Day. The IDPH Center for Minority Health Services is also sponsoring numerous events (see below) and will unveil two video public service announcements (PSA) encouraging people to “Know their Status and Get Tested.” The first PSA is entitled MAGIC and features a one minute excerpt from the winner of the Center for Minority Health Services National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day contest. The second PSA is an excerpt from the trailer for the Center for Minority Health Services documentary A Mirror to the Heart: Breaking the Stigma of HIV/AIDS. Both will air on Comcast's BET station through Sunday, June 27 and viewers will be encouraged to visit www.basuah.org to view both in their entirety.   Interactive games, videos and other educational materials can be found on the 3-D virtual reality education island – BASUAH in Second Life, which can also be found at www.basuah.org.

To find an HIV testing site, the Text2Survive testing locator tool is available. Using a mobile phone, text “IL” plus the zip code to 36363 for English, or text “centro” plus the zip code to 36363 for Spanish. A confidential text message will be sent to the phone identifying the nearest HIV/AIDS testing center contact information.

Illinois Department of Public Health National HIV Testing Day 2010 sponsored events:

DATE

EVENT

LOCATION

ACTIVITES

June 25

National HIV Testing Day

Silver Cross Hospital Specialty Care Pavilion Joliet

HIV Testing

June 25 and June 26

National HIV Testing Day

Faith United Methodist Church
15015 Grant Street
Dolton

HIV testing and health screenings

June 26

National HIV Testing Day

Renacer Church
68 Pine Tree Lane
Hanover Park

HIV testing and counseling

June 26

2010 State Gathering of the Youth

Salvation Army Cross Generations Community Center 2900 W. 127th Street
Blue Island

HIV/AIDS awareness workshop and HIV testing

June 26

National HIV Testing Day Polynesian Picnic Health Fair

Faith Social Services Center
105 E. Dunlap
Jacksonville

HIV testing

June 26

4th Annual “Health Street” “Putting Your Sole In It”

East Side Health District
638-650 North 20th Street
East St. Louis

HIV testing and health screenings

June 26

6th Annual Community-Wide Health Fair

26 Washington Avenue
La Grange

HIV testing

June 26

Community Health Fair

Extended Hands Building
321 E. Leafland Avenue
Decatur

HIV testing and counseling

June 26

Dress It Up Event

Christian Community Health
9718 S. Halsted
Chicago

HIV testing, education, free food, DJ Boxx, Joshua Choir

June 26 and June 27

Annual Youth Expo on HIV/AIDS & Violence Prevention

Greater Harvest MB Church
5141 S. State Street
Chicago

HIV testing

June 27

National HIV Testing Day

Martin Luther King Center
630 9th Street
Rock Island

HIV testing

June 27

A Mirror to the Heart documentary, National HIV Testing Day

University of Illinois College of Medicine – Peoria Hall
One Illini Drive
Peoria

HIV testing, documentary showing

June 27

National HIV Testing Day

2010 Montrose Park’s
“Cricket Hill”
4400 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago

HIV testing, cholesterol, diabetes, PSA, syphilis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B vaccinations

June 27

National HIV Testing Day

Open Door Clinic
157 S. Lincoln Avenue
Aurora

HIV testing

June 27

Take the Test, Take Control

Lake County Health Dept.
2400 Belvidere Road
Waukegan

HIV testing

June 27

Summer Community Health Fair

230 W. Cermak, 2nd Floor
Chicago

HIV testing and health and PSA screenings

June 27

National HIV Testing Day

Proviso High School
4701 Harrison Street
Hillside

HIV testing

 

June 27

Are You Positive, that You’re Negative??

New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church
754 E. 77th Street
Chicago

HIV testing

June 28

HIV Basics Workshop

TCA Health, Inc.
1029 E. 130th Street
Chicago

HIV testing and workshop

June 28

HIV Testing, Counseling

Community College
1145 W. Wilson Avenue
Chicago

HIV testing and workshop

June 29

HIV Breakfast

Healthcare Alternative Systems
1942 N. California
Chicago

HIV testing

June 29

A Summit of Hope

Clyde Jordan Senior Center
6755 State Street
East St. Louis

HIV testing for local parolees, counseling, support services, screening

June 29

National HIV Testing Day

Liberty Baptist Church
3500 Preston Street Rockford

HIV testing

June 29

Take the Test, Take Control

Beardstown Office – 110 E. Main
Virginia Office – 331 S. Main

Beardstown - 8:30-1 p.m.

Virginia – 1-4 p.m.

June 1-30

Illinois National HIV Testing Day Campaign

Pilsen Wellness Center
2015 W. Cermack Road
Chicago

HIV testing and free condoms





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Illinois Department of Public Health
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, Illinois 62761
Phone 217-782-4977
Fax 217-782-3987
TTY 800-547-0466
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