* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Middleton
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
National HIV Testing Day - Test Your Way. Do It Today.
For the purpose of observing National HIV Testing Day on June 27, 2018 and encouraging all Baltimoreans between the ages of 13 and 64 to get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care.
body
Recitals
Each year on June 27 we observe National HIV Testing Day. On this day, we unite with partners, health departments, and other organizations to raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing and early diagnosis of HIV. It is important to encourage HIV testing on National HIV Testing Day, and every day, to ensure people get tested for HIV, know their status, and get linked to care and treatment services.
This year’s theme, Test Your Way. Do It Today., is a call to get tested now and a reminder that there are more ways than ever to get an HIV test. In a clinic, from your health care provider, at a testing event, at home, from a local organization - everyone should get tested your way today.
About 1.1 million people in the United States have HIV, and 1 in 7 of them don’t know it. Young people are the most likely to be unaware of their HIV infection. The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. But some people are more at risk of getting HIV than others and should be tested at least once a year. Sexually active gay and bisexual men may benefit from more frequent testing (for example, every 3 to 6 months).
Knowing your HIV status is important for your health. If you are living with HIV, you should start treatment as soon as possible. HIV medicine can keep you healthy for many years and greatly reduces your chance of transmitting the virus if you take it the right way every day. And if you’re HIV-negative, you can take steps to prevent HIV. For example, pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is when people at very high risk for HIV take HIV medicines daily to lower their chances of getting infected. PrEP can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading throughout your body.
Getting tested for HIV is now easier and more convenient than ever before. Testing sites can be located online by using the CDC’s testing site locator, via text message by texting a zip code to to KNOWIT (566948), or by calling 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636). There are also home testing kits available in drugstores or online. Many HIV tests are now free, fast, and confidential. Test your way, and do it today!
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the Council joins in the nationwide observation of National HIV Testing Day on June 27, 2018 and encourages all Baltimoreans between the ages of 13 and 64 to get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Health Commissioner, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.