Statement on National HIV Testing Day by Dr. Vanessa Cullins, Planned Parenthood Federation of America Vice President for Medical Affairs

“As we observe National HIV Testing Day on Monday, June 27, Planned Parenthood encourages everyone in America to talk about HIV and get tested. We have made major advances in prevention and treatment over the past 30 years, but HIV is still spreading. The CDC estimates that 1.1 million Americans, including 290,000 women, are living with the infection, and a fifth of them don’t know it. Getting tested is easy. And whether you’re positive or negative, knowing your status can help you and your partners stay healthy.

“Planned Parenthood will keep working to combat HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, but we can’t do it alone. We all have a responsibility to know our status. Get tested today. To find a Planned Parenthood health center near you, or for more information about HIV testing, visit plannedparenthood.org.”

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate nearly 800 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.