Campaign Spreads "Get Tested for HIV" Message at AIDS Alliance Conference

The National HIV Testing Mobilization Campaign shared its “get tested for HIV” message at the Voices 2008—Defining Change Conference in Crystal City, VA, May 16–20, 2008. Hosted by the AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth, and Families, the conference brought together AIDS program administrators, researchers, case managers, care coordinators, and consumers to discuss the impact of AIDS on women, children, youth, and families.

Regional Campaign Coordinator Lisa Cohen led a well-attended workshop on the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and youth and the importance of HIV testing for all sexually active Americans, ages 13–64. Christopher Bates, Acting Director, Office of HIV/AIDS Policy at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, gave a luncheon address on HIV testing and the need for more organizations to engage in HIV/AIDS education, prevention, testing promotion, and stigma reduction.

To complement these presentations, the National HIV Testing Mobilization Campaign hosted an information booth at the event and disseminated thousands of fact sheets on HIV testing. The booth was well-received by conference attendees who were eager to take materials back to their communities to help raise awareness of the need for all sexually active Americans to make HIV testing part of their routine health care.