FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 20, 2006

Health Department encourages HIV testing

The City of Kansas City, Mo., Health Department will be offering free HIV testing June 27 from 8-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. in support of National HIV Testing Day.

The testing will be provided at the Health Department, 2400 Troost Ave., on a walk-in basis. Informational booths will be set up in the atrium.

"People should be tested regularly for HIV if they are sexually active," said Ron Griffin, manager of the Communicable Disease Prevention and Public Health Preparedness Division. "Knowing your status is the key in preventing the spread of this disease."

In the first five months of 2006, Kansas City, Mo., has had 65 new cases of HIV reported. Of these new cases, 81 percent are males, 58 percent are males over the age of 30, and 55 percent are black.

"Our goal is for people to get tested. If they test positive for HIV, then we want to help them get treatment," said LaTanya Patton, assistant to the department director and manager of the HIV Services Section.

Free testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases routinely is available at the Health Department Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the STD clinic on a walk-in basis.