Title
To recognize Wednesday June 27th 2018 as National HIV Testing Day in the City of Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, Wednesday, June 27th, 2018 will commemorate the annual observance of National HIV Testing Day, a national testing and treatment community mobilization initiative; and
WHEREAS, in Columbus National HIV Testing Day will be a day that invites people from the AIDS Health Care Foundation, Equitas Health, the National African American Male Wellness Walk, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Columbus Public Health to unite, raising awareness about the importance of HIV testing and early diagnosis of HIV; and
WHEREAS, in 2016 there were 199 newly diagnosed cases of HIV infection in Franklin County, an incidence rate of 15.7 per 100,000 - with people age 15-19 having the highest rate of HIV at 38.0 per 100,000 - it was also reported that approximately, 67% reported contracting the disease through male-to-male sexual contact; and
WHEREAS, the African American Male Wellness Walk and Columbus Public Health will be hosting a community conversation on Wednesday, June 27th 2018 at 5:30pm at the Lincoln Café located at 740 E Long St, Columbus 43203 to discuss the importance of getting tested; and
WHEREAS, Testing will be available at the following sites on National HIV Testing Day:
Columbus Public Health
• The Take Care Down There Clinic from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
• Out of the “Closet, 1230 N. High Street from 3:00 p.m. until 7p.m.
• Club Columbus, 795 W. 5th Avenue from 5:00 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Walgreens
• 3583 East Broad Street from 10:00 a.m. until 7 p.m. CPH
• 1280 Demorest Road from 10:00 a.m. until 7 p.m. FACES
Equitas Health
• 4400 North High Street from 9:00 a.m. until 5 p.m.
• Club Columbus 795 W. 5th Avenue from 5:00 p.m. until 8 p.m.
• 740 East Long Street from 6:00 p.m. until 8 p.m. “Let’s Talk Real People Real Story”
AIDS Healthcare Foundation:
• 1230 North High Street from 10:00 a.m. until 7 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, the City is proud to support individuals and organizations who are working to make HIV/AIDS Testing a priority, moreover the City is committed to raising awareness, reducing new HIV infections and encouraging people to know their HIV status as an early diagnosis may equal a normal life expectancy versus a late diagnosis which may leads to a tenfold increase of death within one year of being diagnosed, now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby recognize Wednesday, June 27th, 2018 as National HIV Testing Day in the City of Columbus.