Indiana Counties Offer Free HIV Testing

Following the state public health emergency declared in Scott County, two Indiana States are now offering free HIV testing to Indiana residents.

On Thursday last week, the health commissioner of Indiana, Dr. Jerome Adams announced that Southeastern Indiana confirmed 160 cases of HIV positive in a short amount of time. Thus, a state public health emergency is in place in Scott County, effective throughout May 24th, 2016.

As a result, two Indiana counties, Jackson County and Jennings County are offering free of charge HIV testing, as well as Hepatitis C on request.

Jackson County will run the free testing program via clinics from Tuesday until the 16h of June. In Jennings County, the North Vernon Walgreens Pharmacy decided to increase the number of free testing for HIV to service the community. Between 11am and 2pm residents will be tested free of charge and without appointments needed previously.

The tests are performed by members of community program of the Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital Community, Positive Link. The same program is handling free testing for HIV infection in 23 other counties in both south and central Indiana.

An information campaign is also taking off, hoping to make Indiana residents more responsible and aware of the dangerous posed by the HIV.

Scott County is one of the most affected areas by HIV epidemic that broke out in the state of Indiana. A needle exchange program has also been set in place to control the HIV, particularly among vetted drug users.

State health authorities stated that 160 HIV positive cases, most of which are tied to Scott County- 30 miles north of Louisville are largely connected to needle sharing between intravenous drug users.

The number of HIV cases has increased at a steady pace since Governor Mike Pence issued an executive order in March declaring a public health emergency, a sensible thing to do.

Image Source: Fox59

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Anne-Marie Jackson

Anna grew up on a steady diet of 20th century literature, science-fiction movies and Viking lore. Unsurprisingly she turned into a technology geek with an inclination for history & fantasy.