Planned Parenthood of Indiana Marks World AIDS Day with Half-Price Testing
Planned Parenthood of Indiana (PPIN) is recognizing World AIDS Day by offering HIV/AIDS tests at half-price in Marion County, thanks to a grant from the Indiana AIDS Fund. The tests, normally $25, are being offered for $12.50 at PPIN's Indianapolis health centers until the funding is exhausted. The funding is expected to last well beyond December 1.
It is the second time this year PPIN has used a grant from the Indiana AIDS Fund to offer half-price HIV testing.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every nine and a half minutes, someone in the United States is infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. There are an estimated one million individuals living with HIV in the United States. Of those one million, approximately one out of five do not know they are infected.
"We are proud to support World AIDS Day," said PPIN Vice President of Patient Services Liz Carroll. "The goal of this internationally-recognized day falls closely in line with the mission of PPIN. HIV/AIDS isn't just happening in some faraway place, it's a reality right here in Indiana. It's important that individuals know their HIV status to stop the spread of the virus. We're pleased to offer low-cost testing to help ensure more individuals educate themselves."
All PPIN health centers around the state have been handing out red ribbons, the symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness, in the days leading up to World AIDS Day.
PPIN also recognized National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) on November 15 by distributing 100 vouchers valid for free HIV testing printed in both English and Spanish in cities around the state.
