Be Sure, Be Safe: 

Mark National HIV Testing Day on June 27 With a Free Screening

June 27 marks National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) — an opportunity to take charge of your health by getting tested for HIV. This annual observance serves as a powerful reminder that knowing your HIV status is a critical step in protecting your health and the health of others. Early detection can lead to timely treatment, better long-term outcomes, and the ability to prevent transmission.

This year’s theme, “Level up your self-love: check your status,” emphasizes the connection between self-care and self-awareness. Getting tested is more than a medical action — it’s an act of empowerment and love for yourself and your community. Whether you’re getting tested for the first time or it’s part of your routine health care, taking this step shows that you value your well-being and are committed to making informed, responsible choices.

HIV testing is quick, confidential, and widely accessible. On June 27 — and every day — make your health a priority. Level up your self-love by checking your status and encouraging others to do the same.

Why HIV Testing Matters

HIV testing plays a vital role in both individual health and public health. An estimated 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV, yet approximately 13% don’t know they’re infected. A lack of awareness delays access to life-saving treatment and increases the likelihood of unknowingly transmitting the virus to others.

Routine testing is a cornerstone of HIV prevention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone aged 13 to 64 get tested for HIV at least once, with more frequent testing for those at higher risk. If you have certain risk factors — like multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex, injection drug use, or another sexually transmitted infection (STI) — it’s a good idea to get tested more often.

Early detection of HIV is critical. People who receive an early diagnosis can start antiretroviral therapy (ART) sooner, which effectively suppresses the virus to undetectable levels. It not only allows people with HIV to live longer, healthier lives but also dramatically reduces the risk of passing the virus to sexual partners — a concept known as Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U).

Making HIV testing a regular part of health care helps break down stigma, encourages open conversations about sexual health, and ensures that more people know their status. Knowing your HIV status empowers you to take control of your health and contributes to broader efforts to end the HIV epidemic.

HIV Prevalence in North Dakota

According to the most recent data available, 578 people with HIV/AIDS were known to be living in North Dakota as of December 31, 2022. Of those, 336 are at the stage of HIV infection, and 242 have progressed to an AIDS diagnosis. The group is made up of 387 males, 189 females, and two transgender females. 

Free and Confidential Testing Options

Accessing an HIV test is easier than ever before, thanks to a wide range of free and confidential options now available to the public. Many community health centers, clinics, and nonprofit organizations offer free walk-in testing services. In addition, mobile testing units and pop-up events frequently visit neighborhoods to make testing more accessible to underserved populations. At-home HIV test kits, which you can order online or pick up at pharmacies, allow people to test themselves in the privacy and comfort of their own homes. 

These expanded options help remove barriers such as cost, stigma, and inconvenience, making it more straightforward for people to take control of their health and get tested regularly.

Testing options include:

  1. Local Health Departments and Clinics

For those in Grand Forks, North Dakota, MyAlly Health offers free HIV testing services. Testing at MyAlly Health is performed by caring, non-judgmental staff who will provide information and resources and connect you with care if needed. 

Additional North Dakota Testing Options

The HIV and hepatitis programs contract with several partners to offer FREE HIV and hepatitis C testing at various locations throughout North Dakota.  Free testing is available for anyone at risk of HIV and/or hepatitis C infection.  Find the closest testing site to you and call to make an appointment.  

Free HIV testing may also be available at other local health departments and community clinics.

  1. Pharmacy-Based Testing

On National HIV Testing Day, select pharmacies, including Walgreens, partner with health organizations to offer free rapid HIV testing. In 2024, over 500 Walgreens locations participated in this initiative. 

  1. At-Home Testing Kits

The CDC-funded program Together TakeMeHome allows US residents aged 17 and older to order up to two free at-home HIV test kits every three months until 2027. These kits provide a private and convenient testing option. 

Understanding Your Results

  • Negative Result: Continue practicing safe behaviors and consider regular testing, especially if you have ongoing risk factors. 
  • Positive Result: Seek confirmatory testing and connect with healthcare providers to begin ART. Effective ART can lead to viral suppression, improving health, and preventing transmission. 

Take the Next Step

Empower yourself by knowing your HIV status. Whether through a local clinic, pharmacy, or at-home test, taking this step is a powerful act of self-care.

At MyAlly Health, we understand the importance of your sexual health and how it can impact your overall well-being. We offer several vaccinations at our clinic, including influenza, hepatitis A and B, meningococcal disease, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment to get vaccinated, reach out to us today!

We also offer STI testing and treatment, and annual examinations, including physicals, wellness checks, and mental health screenings, to promote your overall well-being. You can also receive Pap smears to test for cervical cancer and Gardasil vaccinations to protect you from HPV infections.

MyAlly Health provides confidential reproductive health services to women and men in Grand Forks, North Dakota, regardless of income or age. Those services include offering preventive care, such as STI testing, breast examinations, and pelvic examinations, and determining the best birth control for you. Our clinical services are all performed by nurse practitioners and resident physicians.

MyAlly Health offers education, counseling, advocacy, and healthcare services to empower and engage individuals in their well-being and reproductive health. Find out more about what we do, help make a difference by donating to our cause, or schedule an appointment with us today.