Planned Parenthood Recognizes AIDS Healthcare Foundation for Collaboration on “Get Yourself Tested” Campaign
For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014
Statement from Planned Parenthood Federation of America Vice President for Medical Affairs Dr. Vanessa Cullins
“Planned Parenthood Federation of America would like to thank the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) for its collaborative efforts in the 'Get Yourself Tested' (GYT) campaign. AHF has a network of health centers and is the nation’s largest provider of HIV/AIDS medical care as well as an advocacy organization. The AHF support of HIV prevention initiatives and services has made possible special HIV testing events leading up to National HIV Testing Day, June 27. Earlier this year, the AHF also supported HIV testing events in other parts of the country as part of the GYT campaign.
“As part of the first Be Greater Than AIDS: Get Yourself Tested Week, Planned Parenthood health centers in participating cities — including Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Albany, and Washington, DC — will be providing free or low-cost HIV testing on select days leading up to National HIV Testing Day. Counseling on other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) will also be provided. To make the week as successful as possible, AHF donated HIV testing kits to Planned Parenthood affiliates in Albany, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, and New York City.
“National HIV Testing Day is a great reminder to get yourself tested for HIV and other STDs. More than 200,000 Americans living with HIV don’t even know they have it. Regular testing and consistent use of condoms are the best ways to ensure your health and that of your partner.
“By the age of 25, half of all sexually active people in the United States will contract an STD. In response to the staggering rates of STDs among young people, GYT, a partnership between Planned Parenthood, MTV, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), encourages people under age 25 to talk to their health care providers and partners about getting tested.”