Norton & Other CBC Members Lead by Example Getting Tested for HIV at Capitol Thursday (6/24/09)
Norton and Other CBC Members Lead by Example Getting Tested for HIV at Capitol Thursday
June 24, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will host HIV/AIDS testing of members of the Congressional Black Caucus and others in the District's Prevention Works Van at the corner of New Jersey Avenue and C Street, S.E., the House Triangle, tomorrow,Thursday June, 25, 2009, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., toencourage HIV/AIDS testing. The testing will follow a press conference by Norton and other CBC Members, along with the National Association of People with AIDS leading up to National HIV/AIDS Testing Day, which is Saturday, June 27.
"The District's high HIV/AIDS rate is typical of African American communities today," Norton said. "But just as importantly, one-third of D.C. residents may be unaware that they are infected." The Congresswoman fought for ten years to lift the congressional ban on D.C.'s needle exchange programs. The ban enabled the virus to root here and drove the District's rate unusually high," she said. After eliminating the rider in 2007, Norton has been seeking more funds for preventing the virus because federal funds have been overwhelmingly directed to people who have the virus. She said, "We have lost sight of the fact that HIV/AIDS is preventable in the first place, giving every hope that HIV/AIDS can be eliminated."
The HIV/AIDS test that will be administered is the OraQuick (mouth swab test). Individuals will receive their test results within twenty minutes of taking the test. Pre-counseling and post-counseling will be provided and safe sex kits will be distributed as well. All testing and results will be confidential. For additional information on HIV testing please call Prevention Works at (202) 588-5580.