Gators who want to assess their sexual health can receive free testing today.
In recognition of World AIDS Day, GatorWell will provide free HIV testing at the Florida Gymnasium from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The event, sponsored by the College of Health and Human Performance and Eta Sigma Kappa, provides students with an opportunity to become aware of their HIV status and learn prevention techniques to keep themselves safe.
“You can’t tell if a person is HIV positive by looking at them,” said Samantha Evans, Sexual Health Educator for GatorWell. “The only true way to know is to get an HIV test.”
World AIDS Day, observed Dec. 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness worldwide about HIV/AIDS and the importance of knowing one’s status.
According to statistics released by GatorWell, only 31 percent of UF students know their HIV status.
“We have a flier that says, ‘Check up before you hook up,’” Evans said. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
About 1,000 AIDS cases and 645 HIV cases were reported to the Alachua County Health Department as of September 2010.
As of 2008, 117,612 diagnosed AIDS cases in Florida were reported to the Centers for Disease Control, making the state the third highest reported rate of HIV/AIDS in the country behind New York and California.
The testing will be by appointment only. Students can make an appointment by calling GatorWell at 352-273-4450.
GatorWell also offers additional free HIV testing by appointment Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings at the GatorWell main office on the first floor of the Counseling and Wellness Center on Radio Road.
