the Prince George's County Health Department is participating in a free HIV testing event for the community on Tuesday, February 12th at Prince George’s Community College (PGCC).

The event, Black Health Empowerment Day, is at PGCC’s Health Education Center, located at 301 Largo Road, Bladen Hall, Room 132, Largo, MD 20774 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Along with PGCC, the Health Department is partnering with University of Maryland Capital Region Health Prince George’s Hospital Center to offer free HIV and STI screenings, blood pressure screenings, and a variety of giveaways at this event.

This year’s theme for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is “Together for Love, Stop HIV Stigma.” It is a community mobilization initiative that occurs each year on February 7th to encourage African Americans to get educated about HIV/AIDS, as well as get tested, get treated, and get involved to help stop the spread of the virus. 

The HIV epidemic continues to disproportionately affect the African-American community nationwide and in Prince George’s County. According to the latest data, African Americans comprise 62 percent of the county’s population, but represent 83 percent of those in the county living with HIV.

“We are making progress in the HIV/AIDS fight in Prince George’s County,” said Acting Prince George’s County Health Officer Dr. Ernest L. Carter. “The number of new cases each year has been dropping and more people than ever are getting treated early, which helps suppress their viral load and increases their chances of living longer. Getting into early treatment also greatly reduces the chance the virus is spread to someone else.”

“However, we continue to see African Americans, especially African-American gay and bisexual men, account for the majority of HIV diagnoses in our region and nationwide. We need to continue encouraging safer sex practices, regular HIV testing, and addressing socioeconomic factors that impact the overall health and welfare of the African-American community,” said Carter.
In addition to the county’s periodic free HIV testing community events, the Health Department offers free, year-round testing and treatment at two of its clinics five days a week through the HIV/AIDS Program (HAP). HIV testing and treatment are also available at four school-based wellness centers as well as for teens and young adults at the Healthy Teens and Young Adults Center.

For additional information about Black Health Empowerment Day or National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness activities, call 301-583-3170 or 301-583-3700.