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Free Rapid HIV/AIDS Antibody Tests at CSUSB

Part of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on February 9

By Michael P. Neufeld
Tuesday, February 9, 2010

San Bernardino, CA - The Rapid HIV Antibody test will be offered free at the California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) campus February 9.

The Santos Manuel Student Union is located on the campus of California State University, San Bernardino. It first opened in February 1978 and doubled in size in the Spring of 2006. (Photo by CSUSB.)

This event is in recognition of the 10th Annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Testing will be offered by the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, a co-sponsor with Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), and CSUSB, in cooperation with the Cross Cultural Center and Enrichment through Action, and Brothers and Sisters in Action (B.A.S.I.A.).

The Rapid HIV Antibody tests will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., next to the Santos Manuel Student Union Event Center.

The Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Mobile Medical Clinic reaches patients unable to go to the hospital in Colton. (Photo by ARMC.)

The ARMC Mobile Clinic will provide a confidential facility for the testing. There will be a speaker at 10 a.m. Students and the general public are welcome to participate. There is a $5 parking fee at CSUSB.

Public Health Officer Maxwell Ohikhuare, M.D., noted that the "Rapid HIV Antibody test is very easy to do, and gives results in 20 to 40 minutes." He emphasized that "testing is important so people can know their status, get treated early, and prevent the risk of transmitting the disease to others."

African Americans are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. Nationwide, African Americans account for about half (49 percent) of the people who get HIV and AIDS, though they represent about 13 percent of the U.S. population.

In 2008, African Americans were 22 percent of the San Bernardino County HIV specialty clinic clients, but only represent 8.3 percent of the county population. African American women are especially affected by this disease, since they comprise 40 percent of all females reported with HIV/AIDS in the County.

For more information about the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Testing Event, contact Patricia Green, CEO with B.A.S.I.A., at (909) 820-0446.

The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health has additional details about HIV/AIDS testing and treatment at HIV/AIDS TESTING, or call 1 (800) 782-4264.

This article was first published on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 4:44 am. This article has been viewed 392 times.

Michael P. Neufeld, Senior News Editor, is a graduate of the Dwight Bentel School of Journalism at San Jose State University. His first job out of San Jose State was with the Associated Press in Los Angeles as overnight Radio Editor. Prior to joining RIMOFTHEWORLD.net, Neufeld was editor of two weekly newspapers—THE MOUNTAIN NEWS and CRESTLINE COURIER-NEWS. He also has experience as editor of an employee newspaper for a major utility company and during his tenure as executive director of the San Jose State University Alumni Association served as faculty advisor to the association's monthly newsletter. He also spent eight years in commercial radio doing everything from news to advertising sales and writing commercials to being an announcer and on-air personality. Neufeld is actively involved the mountain communities including serving as master of ceremonies for the Arrowhead Arts Music Festival held each summer.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. This column is copyrighted by Michael P. Neufeld.