NEW YORK (WBNG) — The New York State Department of Health is hosting a free HIV self-test kit giveaway, highlighting the importance of self-testing and empowering individuals to take control of their health.
The Department of Health will distribute nearly 2,000 test kits, which are easily accessible and available for individuals who may not seek out traditional, in-person HIV testing locations.
Nkechi Ojuagha, Director of HIV, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Hepatitis C Prevention at the AIDS Institute, emphasized the importance of testing for HIV.
“People think that HIV is over, that it is a disease of the past. That people aren’t still getting it. Although we have made significant advancements in the decrease of people getting it, we are still seeing a large number of cases in certain populations,” said Ojuagha.
According to Ojuagha, the Health Department’s 2024 Surveillance Report states that 106,754 New Yorkers had a diagnosed case of HIV.
From now until March, New Yorkers can request a kit by filling out a brief survey on the Department of Health’s website.
HIV is now considered a chronic illness that can be managed with medication.
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