{"id":312748,"date":"2026-05-12T23:41:07","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T23:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/312748\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T23:41:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T23:41:07","slug":"new-ahf-wellness-center-provides-crucial-hiv-and-sti-services-in-long-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/312748\/","title":{"rendered":"New AHF Wellness Center Provides Crucial HIV and STI Services in Long Beach"},"content":{"rendered":"

LONG BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)–As the City of Long Beach prepares to host its annual Pride Parade<\/a> and celebration this weekend, AIDS Healthcare Foundation<\/a> (AHF) is pleased to announce the dedication of its expanded AHF Wellness Center – Long Beach<\/a> with a ribbon-cutting ceremony set Friday, May 15th. The state-of-the-art facility\u2014relocated upstairs and separate from AHF\u2019s Healthcare Center, offers free and confidential STI and HIV testing, counseling, and access to resources like PrEP and PEP.<\/p>\n

Long Beach\u2019s rate of people living with HIV is 865.5 per 100,000 residents, much higher than the 2021 statewide rate of 352.9 per 100,000. Long Beach also experiences high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), often exceeding Los Angeles County.<\/p>\n

Share<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\u201cAHF Wellness Centers are a part of AHF’s broader mission to provide comprehensive HIV\/AIDS and STI prevention, treatment, and advocacy, meeting clients where they are and eliminating barriers to accessing care and services for those most in need,\u201d said Marcelino Alcorta, AHF Western Bureau Chief. \u201cThis new, conveniently located site in Long Beach is a stellar example of AHF\u2019s innovative approach in better serving the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nHIV and STI Statistics in Long Beach, CA<\/p>\n

\nAccording to the data, Long Beach has catalogued 4,038 people living with HIV as of Dec. 31, 2023. Long Beach\u2019s rate of people living with HIV is 865.5 per 100,000 residents, significantly higher than the 2021 statewide rate of 352.9 per 100,000, according to the California HIV Surveillance Report<\/a> that year (Long Beach Post, Jan 26, 2024<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\nLong Beach also experiences high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), often exceeding Los Angeles County (LAC) averages. In 2021, over 5,400 new cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported among residents, with particularly high rates in the 20-29 age group. (Long Beach HIV\/STI Report – 2023<\/a>). For testing information and hours, please visit www.freeSTDcheck.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\nAIDS Healthcare Foundation<\/a> (AHF), the world\u2019s largest HIV\/AIDS healthcare organization, provides cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 3 million individuals across 50 countries, including the U.S. and in Africa, Latin America\/Caribbean, the Asia\/Pacific Region, and Eastern Europe. In January 2025, AHF received the MLK, Jr. Social Justice Award, The King Center\u2019s highest recognition for an organization leading work in the social justice arena. To learn more about AHF, visit us online at AIDShealth.org<\/a>, find us on Facebook<\/a>, and follow us on Instagram<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and TikTok<\/a>.<\/p>\n