According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, there are nearly 15,000 individuals in the state living with HIV infection or AIDS, including children and teenagers.
According to a spokesperson from Palmetto Community Care, a nonprofit organization providing free HIV testing, the Deep South is home to eight of the top ten states or U.S. territories with the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses per 100,000 individuals.
South Carolina is one of the states that fall into this category.
“It is imperative for us to have a discussion about it, particularly on Southern AIDS Awareness Day, as there are numerous challenges that hinder people from getting tested,” emphasizes Richard Reams, the spokesperson for Palmetto Community Care.
According to him, HIV/AIDS testing is not limited to a specific demographic.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that it is important for individuals aged 13 to 64 to undergo HIV testing at least once as part of their routine healthcare.
Palmetto Community Care is going above and beyond for Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day this Tuesday. In addition to providing free testing, they’re also giving out gift cards for future testing. It’s their way of encouraging individuals to prioritize their health and get tested regularly.
Reams explains that their advocacy for HIV and AIDS diagnoses is aimed at dismantling any existing stigma.
“I find it more worrisome that the southern states consistently have high per capita diagnosis rates. It’s not that there are necessarily more cases, but rather that we’re not meeting the expected progress,” Ream expresses.
Ivy Hill holds the position of Director of Gender Justice at the Campaign for Southern Equality.
According to Hill, their main focus is to motivate individuals to undergo testing and explore the various options available to them.
According to Hill, there is still a lingering misconception that being HIV positive is a death sentence. However, he asserts that this is far from the truth.
According to experts, the medication has made significant advancements.
“It’s not something to be afraid of. Getting tested is a simple and fast process. And even if you do receive a positive result, don’t worry. Medicine has made tremendous progress, and there are now treatments available to bring your viral load to an undetectable level. This means that you can’t transmit the virus, and people who are undetectable can live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives,” assures Hill.
To discover your options, it is crucial to understand your current status, according to Reams.
Palmetto Community Care provides HIV/AIDS testing on Tuesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., as well as on every other day they are open.
