Take the test; take control

Over 35 million people worldwide are infected with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In the United States, 1.2 million persons live with HIV. Of those infected persons in the US, an estimated one in seven, about 14 percent, don’t know about their condition.

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. Through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s campaign to raise awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS, they are encouraging everyone to take this day and find out their status. Last year, 47,352 people were diagnosed with HIV; that number could be much lower if more people were informed and taking better preventive measures.

A National HIV/AIDS Testing Day Message from Dr. Ron Valdiserri

In Iowa, approximately 2,000 people live with the disease. On average, 111 people are diagnosed every year in the state. These numbers should be lower, and could be lower if proper medication was given to those who need it, and they took proper steps to protect themselves and others.

Since 2012, the Iowa Department of Public Health has been enacting a campaign that promotes education about HIV, prevention of transmission of HIV, promotion of care and medical treatments of those infected with HIV, and changing the stigmas and misinformation about the virus.

The IDPH’s efforts support the CDC’s national testing day.

Getting yourself tested is the safe and healthy choice to make. Knowing your status is empowering, and will help you and those close to you to be safe and informed. Although there are certain demographics and groups that are statistically more at risk for HIV, everyone should be tested at least once.

You be tested at the Central Iowa Family Planning centers in Grinnell, Marshalltown, and Toledo.

Grinnell Office
717 5th Avenue, Suite 4
Grinnell, IA 50112

Phone: 641-236-7787
Fax: 641-236-7789
Open Monday 12:30 – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Wednesday, and daily from
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for lunch

Marshalltown Office:
704 May Street,
Marshalltown, Iowa 50158

Phone: 641-752-7159
Fax: 641- 752-7177
Open Mondays 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed daily from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for lunch

Toledo Office:
507 South County Rd.,
Toledo, IA  52342

Phone:  641-484-2471
Fax:     641-484-3452
Open Wednesdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for lunch