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New Clinic Offering Free HIV and STI Testing to Open on April 3 -- 4.1.2014

COLUMBUS PUBLIC HEALTH – Press Release
FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014
 
Contact:      Jose Rodriguez   (614) 645-6928           [email protected]

New Clinic Offering Free HIV and STI Testing to Open on April 3
Take Care Down There Clinic to Provide Same Day HIV Results

Columbus Public Health is opening the new Take Care Down There sexual health clinic from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 3.  The bi-weekly clinic will offer HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis testing to anyone 13 years of age and older.  All tests are free and no insurance is required.

Following its opening, the clinic will operate every Monday and Thursday from 5-8 p.m. in the first floor Resource Library at Columbus Public Health, 240 Parsons Ave.  Clients will be seen on a walk-in basis, so no appointment is necessary.

The clinic will offer anonymous and confidential HIV testing, and HIV results will be provided the same day within 30 minutes.

“HIV testing is an important part of a comprehensive strategy to combat HIV and AIDS in our community,” says Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long.  “Early detection and care protects health, improves lives and helps prevent new infections, so it’s important for all of us to know our status.”

Central Ohio has high rates of sexually transmitted infections, including syphilis and gonorrhea which are significantly higher than the rest of the state.  

Additionally, more than 3,000 people are diagnosed and living with HIV/AIDS in Franklin County.  Only the Cleveland Metropolitan area has slightly more people living with HIV than central Ohio.  

African American men, gay and bi-sexual men and youth also are disproportionally impacted.  Only 41 percent of HIV-infected youth in the U.S. are aware of their diagnosis, and only 62 percent of those diagnosed receive medical care within 12 months of diagnosis.  

Last year, Columbus Public Health’s Sexual Health team performed nearly 10,800 HIV tests, resulting in 101 new diagnoses, and saw 8,300 clients to test for and treat sexually transmitted infections.  

For more information on the Take Care Down There clinic, call 311, 645-6732 or visit publichealth.columbus.gov.

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