COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is offering free testing for HIV and sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) at several public health department on Tuesday, February 6, as part of National Black HIV/STD Awareness Day.
While DHEC encourages all South Carolinians -- regardless of race and ethnicity -- to take advantage of this free testing, data collected by DHEC shows that while African Americans represent only 26 percent of the state's population, they account for 67 percent of the total number of people living with diagnosed HIV in South Carolina.
"Additionally, among people newly diagnosed with HIV, excluding those with an unknown or other race, 59 percent are African Americans, which is another grave disproportionate burden," said Ali Mansaray, director for the division of STD, HIV, and Viral Hepatitis. "It is important to promote testing and prevention messages to reach those who have not yet been tested and don't know their HIV status.”
To schedule an appointment for free HIV/STD testing on Feb. 6, call 1-855-4-SCDHEC (1-855-472-3432) or visit DHEC's service locator at www.scdhec.gov/HIVLocator. Those who are tested will be screened for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis and trichomoniasis.
If you are unable to make it to an appointment, you can order a home test kit through DHEC.