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City Health Commissioner Vickie
Ionno declared that Ohio’s New Philadelphia City Health District’s free HIV
testing program has been going extremely well. Offered since March 1, 2012, the
program tested more than125 people last year, with no one testing positive. So
far in 2013, the program has tested 97 people, with only one person testing
positive. CDC has recommended that everyone be tested, particularly baby
boomers.
The health district’s program also
has been testing Tuscarawas County Jail inmates for HIV, a first for the city
as well as the county. The county jail began testing on January 3. Health
officials conduct the tests the first and third Thursday morning of each month,
and have tested approximately 40 persons so far. Ionno noted that the program
tests only inmates who volunteer. She commented on the importance of the
inmates’ testing, since incarcerated persons often take part in risky
behaviors—tattooing and intravenous drug use—in unsterile environments. Ionno
commended Lt. Jeremy Everett of the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Department for
his cooperation in making the program possible for inmates. The program keeps
all testing and results confidential.
The Canton City Health Department
funded the free testing through the Ohio Department of Health. Last year, Ionno
applied for and obtained a grant for the free testing.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus.
To learn more about The Friends of
AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
