Did you know that Austin has one of the “youngest” epidemics among cities in the United States? More of our HIV-infected Austinites are in their late teens and early 20s than most other urban areas. Worse still, probably one-third or more of HIVers don’t know they’re infected because they haven’t bothered getting tested, even though Austin makes it amazingly easy to do.
The friendly folks from the local health department will be offering HIV and STD testing in their nifty mobile unit at Pease Park on Friday, Aug. 8, from noon to 5pm. The van will be parked near the restrooms and picnic tables, down toward the south end of the park. (Pease Park lies along Shoal Creek and North Lamar, straddling 24th Street/Windsor Road).
All tests are free and confidential. (Testing may be done anonymously.) They will be checking for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Hepatitis C testing will be available for individuals at risk for that disease, as well. Bilingual (Spanish) counselors will be available.
This opportunity for free testing is sponsored by the Austin Travis County Health Department. For questions and further information, call 972-5580. Come on down — know your HIV status and take control!
Lois VanLaningham, ATCHHD
Sandy Bartlett, ASA
This article appears in August 1 • 2003.