AIDS Project Rhode Island is joining with National Black Leadership on AIDS, the Centers for Disease Control, the Black AIDS Institute and other organizations in participating in National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Sunday, February 7, 2016.
The national theme is “I am my brother’s and sister’s keeper. Fight HIV/AIDS.” A supporting theme is “Get educated, get tested, get involved and get treated.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, of all racial/ethnic groups in the United States, African Americans have the most severe burden of HIV. The Rhode Island Department of Health reports that Blacks/African Americans and Hispanics in Rhode Island experience a disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
In observance of the day, AIDS Project Rhode Island is offering special hours for free, anonymous, rapid HIV testing at its 9 Pleasant Street, Providence, RI 02906 location on Sunday, February 7 from noon until 3 p.m. on a walk-in basis. No blood is drawn, and results are available in 20 minutes.
Anyone wishing to be tested is welcome. Testing will be available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
HIV stands for “Human Immunodeficiency Virus.” HIV can lead to AIDS, “Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome,” which greatly weakens the immune system increasing the opportunity for serious infections and cancers. Treatments for AIDS, and to prevent HIV from turning into AIDS, have greatly improved over the years so infected persons can often have normal lifespans with proper care.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends everyone between 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once. “HIV testing should take place more often if you are engaging in risky behavior, such as sharing needles or engaging in unprotected sex,” said Stephen Hourahan, AIDS Project Rhode Island’s executive director. The organization offers an “HIV Risk Quiz” under the “Get Tested” drop-down menu on its website www.aidsprojectri.org.
In addition to testing, information will be available about treatment to reduce the risk of HIV infection, Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). PrEP is an HIV prevention approach where HIV-negative individuals use anti-HIV medications to reduce their risk of becoming infected if they are exposed to the virus. PEP is an HIV prevention strategy where HIV-negative individuals take HIV medications after coming into contact with HIV to reduce their risk of becoming infected.
AIDS Project Rhode Island regularly offers free, anonymous, rapid HIV, and Hepatitis C, walk-in testing Tuesdays 4 to 6 p.m. and Thursdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Appointments are also available and can be made by calling 401-831-5522 ext. 3824 or emailing takecharge@aidsprojectri.org.
AIDS Project Rhode Island will be providing free, anonymous, rapid testing in the United Way 2-1-1 Outreach RV at South Providence Neighborhood Ministries, 747 Broad Street, Providence from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, January 19; Camp Street Ministries, 190 Camp Street, Providence from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, January 21; McAuley House, 622 Elmwood Avenue, Providence from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, January 22; and at the Church of St. John the Baptist, 69 Quincy Street, Pawtucket on Monday, January 25 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Also, on Tuesday, January 26 at Olneyville Food Center, 261 Manton Avenue, Providence from 9 a.m. to noon; Wednesday January 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Edward Food and Wellness Center, 1001 Branch Avenue, Providence; and Emmanuel House, 239 Public Street, Providence, on Thursday, January 28 from 9 to 10 a.m.
Visit www.aidsprojectri.org for an updated schedule for testing on the United Way 2-1-1 Outreach RV.
AIDS Project Rhode Island is a division of Family Service of Rhode Island.
[From a press release]
Participants and observers of the AIDS Walk RI opening ceremonies were given a treat when Ronald Lewis, activist poet and actor, spoke about the forgotten transgender, women of color origins of the 
This year’s theme for AIDS Walk RI was “Keeping Hope Alive” and despite the reality of nearly 100 new cases of HIV being diagnosed in our state every year, there is hope that one day HIV will be eradicated. Dr. Philip Chan, MD, from the Miriam Hospital’s Immunology Center said that giving a positive HIV diagnosis to a patient is the worst part of his job. He talked about the virtues of a new drug, PrEP, a pre-exposure prophylaxis that prevents the transmission of HIV.
Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH spoke of three foci at the RI Department of Health, where she is the director. “We want to continue to enhance partner services, making sure that people know how to stop their partners from getting infected by raising awareness. getting tested and letting them know about PEP ad PREP. We also want to highlight our ‘men who have sex with men communities’ that are disproportionately affected by HIV and syphilis and some of the other STDs… our third priority is also highlighting our youth and our communities of color, where there are higher rates of STDs as well as HIV.”
Members of Hope Harris‘ family gathered on stage to present the “Hope Harris Award.” Harris was a member of the AIDS Project RI board for the last part of her life. She was also a longtime receptionist for the late Senator John Chafee and also served in Senator Lincoln Chafee‘s office. She was known as a kind and deeply religious person who recognized the value of person, without regard to race, orientation or gender identity.
