National HIV testing day leads to block part event in Pittman Park
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Updated: 7:07 AM CDT Jun 28, 2021
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Updated: 7:07 AM CDT Jun 28, 2021
June 27 is National HIV testing day. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation teamed up with Xperience Jxn Entertainment Group in hopes to reduce the stigma of getting tested for the virus."During this last quarantine period, Mississippi’s numbers have skyrocketed when it comes to HIV and STDs. And so we are raising awareness out here to get people tested and know your status and to protect yourself and safe guard your family," said De'Keither Stamps with the Mississippi House of Representatives.The Mississippi Department of Health said Mississippi is in the top ten states with the highest rate of HIV infections in the nation.The City of Jackson itself is overwhelmed with new cases of the virus."This is particularly important for the Jackson area, because what statistics have told us, is that the state of Mississippi ranks sixth in the nation with new diagnosis. And within that, Jackson is raging with the new HIV diagnosis," said AIDS Healthcare Foundation Spokesperson Imara Canady.According to leaders, the most impacted group is Black men who range from ages of 20 and 24. People in their twenties represent 43% of new cases."It’s important to know your status because as African Americans, our numbers are steady rising, and we want to end the epidemic," said Founder and Executive Director of LIFE Inc. Tamica Morton.AHF is the worlds largest nonprofit HIV and AIDS service."If you cant support your community, it’s never going to rise up," said Magnolia State Heights Football Coach Hunter Mitchell.There is a clinic in Jackson that provides free HIV testing and affordable pharmacy services every week. They are open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.