National HIV Testing Day (June 27)

This month, Community Voice Mail (CVM) is partnering with AIDS.gov to send voice and email messages to clients of CVM in Houston about HIV testing resources. While this is officially part of a promotion for National HIV Testing Day on June 27, it’s a good health message to send to your clients at any time. Since you and your agency colleagues work with a lot of clients who don’t have CVM and aren’t receiving these messages directly, we wanted to make sure that you have information that you can share with your other clients and your fellow staff.

The message below was written specifically for CVM agencies by Miguel Gomez, the Director of AIDS.gov. Please forward to others in your agency, and make this information available to all of your clients.

Thank you!
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One out of five—that’s the latest CDC estimate ( http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5739a2.htm ) of how many people living with HIV in the United States are unaware of their HIV status. Stigma around HIV remains a barrier for HIV testing. National HIV Testing Day is an opportunity to reduce HIV testing stigma and promote testing. On behalf of AIDS.gov, thank you for helping us get the word out about this important day.

In addition to sending out voice and email mail messages to your clients, here are some other ways you can help promote National HIV Testing Day:

· Encourage your clients to get tested
Your clients can find out about testing facilities in your area in at least these three ways:

1. Call 1-800-CDC-Info (1-800-232-4636). This is the National hotline for the CDC. You or your clients can call anytime and someone will answer your questions and help you find a free or inexpensive testing center.
2. Visit http://www.HIVtest.org, the National HIV and STD Testing Resources web site from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Enter your zip code to find a testing center near you. You can also find a lot of accurate information about HIV and the testing process.
3. Text a nearby ZIP code to “KNOWIT” (566948). If you have a cell phone and use text messaging, you’ll get a text message back with a local testing center (normal text messaging charges apply).

· Share your HIV testing story
During June, our AIDS.gov blog will highlight several HIV testing story campaigns. We also welcome your stories (via blog comments) about what getting an HIV test meant to you and your clients.
· Promote an HIV testing story video widget
We’re developing a video widget with the CDC of HIV testing stories from different campaigns. Check back on AIDS.gov soon for the code to add the widget to your agency’s website, social network profiles, or blog.
· Add an HIV testing “Badge” to your web site, blog or social networking profile
Tell your clients, friends, colleagues, and family to find their local HIV testing sites by sending a text message with their ZIP code to “KNOWIT” (566948) or visiting www.HIVtest.org. Copy the code below to add a web badge to your website, social network profiles, or blog.

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· Send an HIV testing e-card
Send your clients, friends, colleagues, and family a personalized e-card to remind them of the importance of National HIV Testing Day and knowing your HIV status. Check back on AIDS.gov soon for links to new e-cards!
· Use the “NHTD09” Twitter hashtag
If you’re tweeting about National HIV Testing Day events and information, please use the hashtag “#NHTD09”. Follow AIDS.gov on Twitter for other National HIV Testing Day updates!
· Learn & share info about the CDC’s Act against AIDS Leadership Initiative
The CDC has launched a new national domestic HIV campaign called “Act Against AIDS” that aims to reduce HIV incidence in the U.S. Visit the campaign site for videos, banner ads, fact sheets, and more.

Thank you for joining us in promoting National HIV Testing Day 2009. We appreciate your important work and look forward to future collaborations.

Best regards,
Miguel Gomez, AIDS.gov Director, and The AIDS.gov Team