City's Public Health Division to Offer No-Cost HIV Testing in Honor of World AIDS Day

PORTLAND, Maine -- World AIDS Day is a global celebration held annually, for the last 27 years on December 1st. It is dedicated to raising awareness of the pandemic caused by the spread of HIV, and to remember and mourn those who have died from this disease. In honor of World AIDS Day, the City of Portland’s Public Health Division will be offering no-cost HIV testing at 103 India Street on Wednesday, December 2nd from 11 AM - 3 PM or by appointment by calling 207-874-8768.

In the United States, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that more than 1.2 million people aged 13 and older are living with HIV. This includes 156,300 who are unaware of their infection. The number of new infections has remained the same over the last ten years but as the population ages, the number of people living with HIV in the US has continued to rise.

In 2014, it was estimated that 1,810 Mainers were living with HIV – including approximately 300 who are unaware of their positive status. In 2015, to the present date, there have been 35 new cases of HIV in Maine.

“Getting to Zero” has been the theme for World AIDS Day since 2011 and echoes the UNAIDS vision of achieving “Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths.” The most important thing any individual can do to help achieve this aim is to know their HIV status and seek treatment if infected. The CDC recommends that everyone aged 13 and older should be tested for HIV.

For additional information about HIV testing, medical care or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) please contact Bridget Rauscher, City of Portland, 207-874-8768, bridget.rauscher@portlandmaine.gov or  visit www.cdc.gov/hiv.