Once again, Baton Rouge ranks as one of the most HIV- and AIDS-plagued cities in the country.
According to the Baton Rouge AIDS Society’s website, the city ranks in the top three nationally in both HIV and AIDS cases, with nearly 30 to 40 out of every 100,000 people, respectively.
BR AIDS Society founder and CEO A.J. Johnson said he believes the major reason for the city’s alarming number of HIV and AIDS cases stems from a collective lack of awareness on the issue.
“Simply put, education on HIV and AIDS is lacking in our community,” Johnson said. “The Baton Rouge AIDS Society highlights education as our primary and only focus. While other agencies may have education as a department, education is what we do.”
Johnson said a major part of that education is getting people tested to determine if they’ve contracted the HIV virus, and June 27 is the day to do so.
For the 10th consecutive year, the Baton Rouge AIDS Society will offer free, 24-hour HIV testing in accordance with National HIV Testing Day on Friday. According to Johnson, there’s no excuse for anyone to be unaware of his or her HIV status.
“This is the only day of the year we test for 24 hours, so there’s no reason anyone can say they didn’t have time to get tested on this one day,” Johnson said. “It lasts all day, it’s free, and it’s the only thing we do on [National HIV Testing Day].”
The clinic’s decision to extend its hours on this particular day has seen success. On every National HIV Testing Day since 2004, nearly 150 Baton Rouge residents have visited the organization’s 4560 North Blvd. location to get tested. Johnson said he’s seen visits range anywhere from 1:30 a.m. until 11:45 p.m. He even recalled a test one minute after midnight.
But getting tested once isn’t enough, Johnson stressed. It’s important for one to be continuously updated on his or her status as well as the partner’s.
“One key factor is knowing your current status,” Johnson said. “Some people get tested, but then skip for the next three or four years despite having multiple sexual partners. Never go on what people say. If someone has a test result that’s years old, don’t make on it.”
The Baton Rouge AIDS Society will open its doors for free testing at 12:01 a.m. Friday and close at midnight that same day.