15,000 People Test Positive for HIV in South Carolina
In an alarming health report, the South Carolina Department of Public Health has disclosed that there are nearly 15,000 individuals in the state, including children and teenagers, presently living with either HIV infection or AIDS.
A spokesperson for Palmetto Community Care, a local organization offering free HIV testing, states that South Carolina falls in the top ten states or U.S. territories with the highest incidences of new HIV diagnoses per 100,000 individuals. This ranking, sadly, seats South Carolina firmly in the ‘Deep South’ region known for its worrying rates of HIV/AIDS cases.
Addressing The Crisis
“It’s critical that we engage in open conversations about HIV/AIDS, particularly on Southern AIDS Awareness Day,” Richard Reams, the spokesperson for Palmetto Community Care, said. “This is due to the numerous layers of complication that make reaching out for testing a challenge for people.”
Reams added that the testing process is not aimed at a particular demographic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that all patients aged between 13 to 64 receive testing for HIV at least once as part of traditional healthcare routines.
In honor of Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Palmetto Community Care went a step further by offering not just free testing but also a gift card for a future test.
Breaking Down The Stigma
Reams pointed out that their advocacy for HIV and AIDS diagnoses is an initiative to eliminate the lingering stigma associated with these health conditions. “By continuing to rank high in per capita diagnoses, the South is displaying a concerning lack of progress, despite the high numbers, on the battle against HIV/AIDS,” Reams commented.
Ivy Hill, the Director of Gender Justice for the Campaign for Southern Equality, encourages individuals to undertake the testing and understand their options. “Despite the old misconceptions, being HIV positive is no longer a death sentence,” Hill emphasizes.
She also lauded the progress in medication available for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. “The process of testing is neither intimidating nor extended. And if your results come back positive, the advancement in medication today ensures several treatments can help you return to an ‘undetectable’ viral load level. This implies you can’t transmit the virus and continue to lead long and healthy lives,” Hill reassures.
Taking Charge
In order to understand your options, you need to find out your status first, Reams advises. Hence, Palmetto Community Care offers HIV/AIDS testing on Tuesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and also on other operating days.
With these services and initiatives, South Carolina hopes to see a decline in the number of new HIV diagnoses and continue the fight against this takeable disease. Plus, putting an end to the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS will help make the path to health and wellness more accessible for all.
