South Health District

Recognizes National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

VALDOSTA – National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is recognized annually on February 7 as a way to increase HIV education, testing, community involvement, and treatment among black communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2017, African Americans accounted for 43 percent of all new HIV diagnoses.

In recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2020, the Georgia Department of Public Health’s South Health District HIV Prevention program will host two free testing events throughout February.

The first event will be held Thursday, February 6 at T.E.A.C.H. Outreach Ministries from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Free KFC meals will be provided to the first 50 people to get tested. T.E.A.C.H. Outreach Ministries is located at 606 South Lee Street in Valdosta.

The second event will be held Thursday, February 13 at V Town Gifts & More from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Free KFC meals will be provided to the first 75 people to get tested. V Town Gifts & More is located at 2019 North Ashely Street in Valdosta.

During both events, public health will provide free confidential HIV testing, free condoms and will also hold giveaways.

In addition to hosting outreach testing events, all county health departments within the South Health District (Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift and Turner) provide free HIV testing. No appointment is needed, and all facilities are open Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.