World AIDS Day is December 1st. Every year, World AIDS Day is observed to give people an opportunity to reflect on the impact that HIV and AIDS have had on people and nations throughout the world. It also serves as an opportunity to unify in response to the epidemic, increase awareness, celebrate the great strides made in prevention, care, and treatment, support people living with AIDS, and honor those that have been lost to AIDS. The goal is an AIDS-free generation.
In recognition of World AIDS Day, Saint Louis County Department of Public Health, in collaboration with its community partners, is offering free confidential sexual health screenings at the dates, times, and locations listed below. In addition to routing screening for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and traditional HIV screenings, persons who come for the free screenings will be able to receive express testing services, which includes a Rapid HIV and hepatitis C screening. Rapid screening tests only take 15-20 minutes.
“Know Your Status” Sexual Health Screening, Movie, and Discussion Event- November 29th
Webster University- Interdisciplinary Science Building
8274 Big Bend Blvd, Saint Louis, MO 63119
3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
World AIDS Day Sexual Health Screenings (2 Locations)- November 30th
North Central Community Health Center (Sexual Health Clinic)
4000 Jennings Station Road, Pine Lawn, MO 63121
8:30 AM – 11:00 AM & 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Skate King Skating Center
2700 Kienlen Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63121
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
In addition to the sexual health screening events, there is also an educational event in honor of World AIDS Day detailed below:
“I Know More About My HIV and HEP C” Educational Event- December 4th
William J. Harrison Education Center
3140 Cass Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63106
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
“Saint Louis County wants to create a favorable environment for both residents and visitors who need access to HIV education, prevention, care, and treatment services,” County Executive Steve Stenger said.
“HIV is no longer a death sentence,” said Dr. Fredrick Echols, director Communicable Disease Control Services and Vector Programs at the Saint Louis County Department of Public Health. “Because of biomedical advancements, it is now treated as a chronic disease. However, before treatment can begin, people must know their sexual health status. The sooner people are linked to medical care and treatment, the better their health outcome. Testing is the key.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), AIDS affects 1.2 million people in the United States, and 1 in 8 of those people do not know they have it. To stop its spread, it is recommended that anyone who is sexually active get tested regularly.
Anyone unable to attend the events listed above, but who is interested in obtaining free or reduced cost sexual health screening should visit www.GetTestedSTL.org and www.STLCondoms.com, as free STI and HIV screening is regularly offered by the Saint Louis County Department of Public Health and community-based organizations. These websites serve as a comprehensive resource for finding free educational materials, safer sex resources, and local resources for sexual health testing, treatment, and support.
To register for “I Know More About My HIV and HEP C” Educational Event, please visit:
www.eventbrite.com/e/i-know-more-about-my-hiv-and-hep-c-tickets-52369036197
For more information about World AIDS Day, please visit:
www.cdc.gov/features/worldaidsday/index.html
Additionally, if you think you may have a sexually transmitted infection, it is recommended that you contact your primary healthcare provider.