In observance of the 2014 National HIV Testing Day on Friday, June 27th, Milwaukee Health Services Inc. (MHSI) Early Intervention Program (EIP) is hosting a collaborative HIV testing event with the Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin, UMOS and Diverse and Resilient from 10AM to 4PM at Martin Luther King Heritage Health Center located at 2555 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages everyone to know their status.
Of the more than 1.1 million people living with HIV in the U.S., an estimated one in six do not know that they are infected and only one and four has their virus under control with treatment.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the City of Milwaukee accounted for 44% of Wisconsin’s HIV diagnoses in 2013 but only 10% of Wisconsin’s population. That same report showed that at the end of 2013, the following seven zip codes accounted for more than 50% of prevalent HIV cases: 53204, 53208, 53215, 53212, 53209, 53206 and 53202 but 32% of the City’s population. It is estimated that another 600 Milwaukee residents are not aware of their HIV infection.
“The primary objective of the event is to provide access to health care services, community resources, and education that will empower and enrich the lives of the community we serve. This will in turn impact the awareness of HIV,” says Ericka M. Sinclair, Program Director of the Early Intervention Program at Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. Everyone is welcome to attend. Patients will have access to a range of services that would include HIV and STI testing, health education and insurance benefit assistance. There will be snacks, door prizes and incentives for those who attend.
To learn more about the 2014 National HIV Testing Day Event or how to get involved contact Ms. Ericka Sinclair at 414-267-4352 or Email: esinclair@mhsi.org.
The Early Intervention Program at Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. is funded by Health Resources Services Administration’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
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