June 27th marks the 20th anniversary of the celebration of National HIV Testing Day. Founded in 1995 by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), National HIV Testing D
ay aims to promote HIV testing and encourage those who are unsure of their health status to get tested for the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 out of every 8 people infected with HIV are unaware of their status, posing long-term health risks for themselves and their partners. However, the CDC also estimates that over 90% of future HIV infections in the United States could be prevented with prompt, proactive testing and continuous care and treatment.
In Togo, Hope Through Health works to eliminate the barriers that prevent individuals from getting tested for and receiving treatment for HIV/AIDS. In honor of National HIV Testing Day, we encourage all of our friends in the United States, in Togo, and around the world to get tested!