Statement by the President on National HIV  Testing Day

This Sunday is National HIV Testing Day, an occasion to raise  awareness of the steps each of us can take as individuals to fight  HIV/AIDS.  As we mark this day, I would like to renew my call for all  Americans to help reduce the risk of infection by getting tested for HIV  and learning their HIV status.  One in five Americans who are currently  living with HIV-- more than 230,000 people -- do not know their  status.  The majority of HIV infections are spread by those who are  unaware that they have the disease.  And research shows that people who  know their status take better care of themselves and take steps to  reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others.  That is why it is so  important that people get tested.

In recent years, we have made huge advances in HIV research,  prevention and care.  Still, HIV and AIDS remains an epidemic in this  country.  That is why my Administration is launching in the coming days a  comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy focused on reducing new HIV  infections, increasing access to care, and reducing HIV-related health  disparities.  But government cannot address this important issue alone.   We need the commitment of businesses, churches and faith groups,  philanthropic organizations, the scientific and medical communities,  educational institutions and others.  And all of us have a  responsibility to reduce our risk and know our status, to continue to  support those already affected by this disease, and to fight the stigma  and discrimination people still face.  So on this National HIV Testing  Day, let us all recommit to do our part to help stop the spread of HIV  and AIDS.

Original Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov

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Resources & Local Events:

National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA)

CDC: National HIV and STD Testing Resources

U.S. Department of Health & Human  Services

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