(Santa Ana, CA) - The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) recognizes World AIDS Day on December 1, 2024, which marks the 36th commemoration, as an opportunity to support the well-being of those living with HIV; to remember those who have died from AIDS-related illness; and to promote prevention, care, and treatment services to end the HIV epidemic.
The World AIDS Day 2024 campaign theme is “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress.” This year’s World AIDS Day theme is an opportunity to reflect on the journey, acknowledge and celebrate progress made, and recognize the challenges remaining to end the HIV epidemic on a global, national, and local level.
“At the end of 2023, there were an estimated 8,181 persons living with AIDS or HIV in Orange County (OC), based on methodology from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. “Knowing your HIV status is important to preventing new infections and we encourage everyone to make HIV screening part of your routine medical care.” For more information on HIV/AIDS in OC visit www.ochealthinfo.com/hivpac.
The HCA encourages the local community to take action to reduce HIV transmission through the following steps:
- Get tested and know your HIV status;
- Use condoms for protection from HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs);
- Know prevention options if HIV-negative, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may help protect you from getting HIV; and
- Learn about new treatment options to get and stay virally suppressed, which means having an undetectable viral load if HIV-positive.
“There are treatments which allow individuals who live with HIV to stay healthy and prevent transmission to others,” said Dr. Christopher Ried, Medical Director, HIV/STD Services. “Through the HCA’s 17th Street Testing and Treatment Clinic, as well as community-based partnerships, residents can readily access confidential HIV testing and treatment.”
Local World AIDS Day Events:
- December 1, 2024, the City of Laguna Beach HIV Advisory Committee will host a Coffee, Greet, and Community Sharing at 3:30 p.m. on the Main Beach cobblestone area followed by a Candlelight Vigil from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Laguna Beach Community Clinic will be providing free HIV testing vouchers at the event.
- December 6, 2024, APAIT Health Center, in collaboration with The LGBTQ Center Orange County, will be hosting the “World AIDS Day: Riot & Remember, a LGBTQ celebration of riot grrrl culture – Open Mic Night” event from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Brad Brafford LGBTQ Center on 4th located at 305 E. 4th St., Suite 203, Santa Ana. Performances and open mic will start at 6:30 p.m., and activities will include Community Resources, HIV/STD Testing, Mocktail Bar, and World AIDS Day Community Zine featuring local artists. RSVP at the following link: https://forms.gle/sEfyVvPdEtDGuput7.
People at higher risk of HIV should get tested more often and people who have never been tested can get tested for free. Please ask your health care provider for an HIV test. Free, confidential HIV testing is available year-round at the agencies listed below. To make an appointment or for additional information regarding testing, contact:
- AltaMed: Call (714) 500-0491 or visit HIV Testing Services (altamed.org).
- APAIT Health Center: Call (714) 636-1349 or visit www.apaitssg.org/ for more information.
- Testing is offered Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Walk-ins are welcome for Rapid HIV & Rapid HCV.
- Appointments are required for a full HIV and STD (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis) testing panel.
- Families Together Orange County: Call (800) 597-7977 or visit https://familiestogetheroc.org/. Testing is offered at three locations:
- Tustin:
- Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (limited Saturday appointments)
- Garden Grove:
- Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Fountain Valley:
- Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- OC Health Care Agency/17th Street Testing, Treatment and Care Clinic: Call (714) 834-8787 to make an appointment or visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/std for more information. Walk-ins are accepted based on availability. Clinic hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Radiant Health Centers: Call (949) 809-5700 or visit www.radianthealthcenters.org/ for more information. Walk-ins based only on availability, please call first. Hours:
- Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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- The LGBTQ Center Orange County: For more information or an appointment, call (714) 953-5428 or visit https://www.lgbtqcenteroc.org/. Testing is offered:
- Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.,
- Wednesday and Thursday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more testing sites and information about HIV services in Orange County, please call (714) 834-8335 or visit www.ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/dcepi/hiv/sites.
For more on World AIDS Day, visit: https://www.hiv.gov/events/awareness-days/world-aids-day
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