In honor of World AIDS Day, Cobb & Douglas Public Health (CDPH) will host two free HIV testing events in the Metro-Atlanta area. On Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., CDPH will hold a testing event at Life University’s Wellness Center, and on Dec. 1 from Noon to 5 p.m. at the Sibley Library. Life University is located at 1269 Barclay Circle and the Sibley Library is located at 1539 South Cobb Drive.
“We want to continue to offer dynamic outreach to the communities of Cobb and Douglas counties, said HIV Prevention Program Manager Karrie Pate, MPH. “World AIDS Day is the perfect time to honor those affected by HIV AIDS and come to together to dismantle the misconceptions that surrounds HIV.”
The Georgia Department of Public Health’s (DPH) 2016 HIV Disease Surveillance Summary indicated Georgia is ranked 5th in the nation for number of persons living with HIV. Two-thirds (66%) live in the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes Cobb and Douglas counties.
The World AIDS Day Organization states that over 100,000 people are living with HIV in the UK. Globally there are an estimated 34 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
Cobb & Douglas Public Health’s testing, counseling and outreach efforts include the help of knowledgeable, compassionate counselors that can guide residents through next step options or discuss risk-reduction techniques.
Testing during the World AIDS Day events is free and open to everyone. There are no needles involved and results are confidential and ready within 60 seconds.
For more information about the free HIV testing events, call 770-514-2815.
About Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Cobb & Douglas Public Health, along with the Georgia Department of Public Health, has been committed to the mission of “Healthier Lives. Healthier Community.” since 1920. We are dedicated to improving our residents’ quality of life by tracking and preventing the spread of disease, promoting health and safety, providing exceptional medical services, and ensuring that our community is prepared for public health emergencies. For more information, visit www.cobbanddouglaspublichealth.org.