PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — On National HIV Testing Day Thursday, one non-profit public health organization that works to reduce the harms associated with drug use, hosted a community event in Kensington.
The drug epidemic is visible on the streets of Kensington. Used needles are a common sight on the ground. That’s where Prevention Point Philadelphia steps in, offering free HIV testing every day for community members.
Kareem Mims is the Prevention Healthcare Coordinator. She says the tests provided give quick results, similar to a pregnancy test.
“The test results come back in 60 seconds and if you are diagnosed with HIV, the HIV testers can link you into care right away,” she said.
Organizers say in the early days of the AIDS epidemic, about 50 percent of new HIV infections in the City of Philadelphia were among people who use drugs. That number has drastically decreased to just about 13 percent, thanks to accessible harm reduction services and medical breakthroughs.
In the United States, Black and Hispanic people accounted for nearly 70 percent of estimated new HIV infections in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier stopped by and got her test. She says it’s imperative to know your status not just for yourself, but for the safety of others.
“It’s important to raise awareness about HIV In our city in ways that people can detect,” she said. “If they have HIV and ways that they can protect themselves and others. So it’s very important to be part of this day.”