County Hosts Free HIV Testing Today

Prince George's County residents can get a free HIV screening today, June 27, as a part of National HIV Testing Day.

The Prince George's County Health Department and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), Infectious Disease and Environmental Health Administration (IDEHA) partnered with Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS. 

The HIV testing will be available from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Walgreens at 9001 Woody Terrace in Clinton.

Prince Georges County is ranked 2nd among Maryland jurisdictions in the rate of HIV cases diagnosed in 2010.

According to the CDC, more than 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV. In Maryland, 30,132 people were diagnosed and living with HIV at the end of 2010.

“Increasing the ease and access to HIV testing is vital to expanding health care access and improving our public health in Prince George’s County, but, most importantly this testing is critical to for our residents to know their status,” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III.  

“The HIV/AIDS rates in Prince George’s County are too high and it is the goal of my administration to utilize all resources available to make these rates as well as rates of other sexually transmitted diseases decrease," Baker added. 

Acting county health officer Pamela Creekmur said the county and Walgreens will also provide counseling and education around HIV. 

For information about National HIV testing Day activities or year-round HIV prevention, testing, treatment and support services, please call 301-583-3700 or visit http://ideha.dhmh.maryland.gov.