DEERFIELD, Ill. & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS, a public information initiative of KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), are teaming up with health departments and community organizations in more than 250 cities to host the largest coordinated National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) event in the nation. Click here for a list of participating Walgreens stores and hours to get a free HIV test on Monday, June 27.
“The last two years of COVID-19 saw declines in HIV testing, and many places are still not at the levels they were before,” said Tina Hoff, senior vice president, KFF. “We are thrilled to support our community partners in getting out the word about the importance of routine HIV testing in both treatment and prevention and continue our partnership with Walgreens.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 13% of the estimated 1.2 million people in the U.S. living with HIV today are not aware of their status.i Early diagnosis and treatment are vital to preserving health and preventing transmission.
Nearly 300 local health departments and community organizations will be at participating Walgreens stores to provide free, confidential and fast test results on-site, without the need to schedule an appointment. Counselors will be on hand to answer questions about HIV prevention and treatment options, including PrEP, a medication that offers another effective means to reduce the risk of getting HIV.
“HIV testing is recommended as part of routine health care, yet many Americans are not getting tested as often as advised. As a result, many people living with HIV are unaware of their status,” said Kevin Ban, MD, chief medical officer, Walgreens. “That’s why Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS, together with our community partners, are expanding free and confidential HIV testing—to help people know their HIV status and take control of their health.”
The Greater Than AIDS and Walgreens National HIV Community Partnership is an ongoing commitment to work with local health departments and community organizations to expand HIV testing and information through non-traditional settings. Since 2011, more than 72,000 free HIV tests have been provided as part of the annual event, including over 15,000 self-tests provided during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to be administered at home.
Walgreens has supported people living with HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic more than 40 years ago. Walgreens invests in training of its pharmacy team members to address the specific challenges faced by people living with HIV, supports several local and national HIV organizations and continues to participate in ongoing research to help end the HIV epidemic.
Participating Walgreens stores and testing hours for this year’s NHTD activation are available here. Abbott, BioLytical Laboratories, Inc. and OraSure Technologies, Inc. have provided community partners with donated HIV tests in support of the 2022 program.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is included in the United States segment of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), an integrated healthcare, pharmacy and retail leader serving millions of customers and patients every day, with a 170-year heritage of caring for communities. As America’s most loved pharmacy, health and beauty company, Walgreens purpose is to champion the health and well-being of every community in America. Operating nearly 9,000 retail locations across America, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Walgreens is proud to be a neighborhood health destination serving approximately 9 million customers each day. Walgreens pharmacists play a critical role in the U.S. healthcare system by providing a wide range of pharmacy and healthcare services. To best meet the needs of customers and patients, Walgreens offers a true omnichannel experience, with fully integrated physical and digital platforms supported by the latest technology to deliver high-quality products and services in local communities nationwide.
About Greater Than AIDS
Greater Than AIDS is a leading national public information response from KFF focused on communities most affected. Through targeted media messages and community outreach, Greater Than AIDS and its partners work to increase knowledge, reduce stigma and promote actions to stem the spread of the disease.
About KFF
KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) is a nonprofit organization focusing on national health issues, as well as the U.S. role in global health policy. KFF develops and runs its own policy analysis, polling, journalism and communications programs, sometimes in partnership with major news organizations. No affiliation with Kaiser Permanente.
i HIV.gov U.S. Statistics. Fast Facts. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/data-and-trends/statistics. Last updated June 2, 2021. Accessed May 27, 2022.
