HIV Rates Rise: Know Your Status
Over 1.1 million people in the U.S. have HIV, and 25 percent of them don’t even know it (U.S. Prevention Services Taskforce). Atlanta rates continue to rise. A recent study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the risk of HIV diagnosis in Georgia has climbed to 1 in 51. With metro Atlanta’s population at more than 5.7 million residents, that means that over 114,000 people are infected with the HIV virus. December is World AIDS Month, an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and show their support for people living with HIV.
Know Your Status
Fifty percent of new HIV infections in the U.S. come from people who don’t know their status (Know Your Status). Student Health Promotion, in collaboration with the Fulton County Health Department, offers free and confidential HIV testing to all Georgia State University students in the office. The Oraquick Rapid Test tests for the presence of HIV antibodies in saliva and is painless. Results are typically available within 30 minutes. Testing is available Monday through Thursday during office hours. To make an appointment, please call 404-413-1577.
Resources and Next Steps
Students who have been diagnosed with HIV and don’t know their next steps can call and speak with the health educator at 404-413-1577. Once a positive diagnosis has been made, Student Health Promotion offers additional resources and support and connects students immediately with the health care treatment they need.
Additional Resources
Here is a list of resources available in the metro-Atlanta area:
