Sharon Brown, who is the HIV consultant for the state of Mississippi for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, said one thing the organization is trying to push for is getting health care providers to regularly provide HIV tests during yearly check-ups. When you go to the doctor, they automatically run certain tests, so it would be great if the state of Mississippi began to have HIV as a preventative measure, she said, adding the organization hopes to begin talking with some lawmakers and the State Department of Health.
During the event, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation had a mobile testing unit on site for anyone to get a free test. The rapid tests provided results within 30 seconds to a minute. For anyone who might have tested positive, staff were there for them, providing them with comfort and resources.