Kent County Health Department Offers Free Testing and Other Activities in Grand Rapids Parks in Recognition of National HIV Testing Day

Steve Kelso at (616) 632-7274 or [email protected]

Kent County Health Department Offers Free Testing and Other Activities in Grand Rapids Parks in Recognition of National HIV Testing Day

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 23, 2022) In honor of National HIV Testing Day, the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is partnering with community organizations to offer "Wellness in the Park" at three parks in Grand Rapids. The KCHD will provide free HIV and STD testing and several other self-care related services including access to health care information and resources, outdoor games and activities, and free snacks and drinks.

The Wellness in the Park events will occur at the following locations and times:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Park 1200 Franklin St SE, Grand Rapids
  Monday June 27, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
• Heartside Park 301 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids
  Wednesday, June 29, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
• Garfield Park 250 Burton St SE, Grand Rapids
  Thursday, June 30, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.

National HIV Testing Day is June 27 and this year's theme is "HIV Testing is Self-Care." Self-care is critical to an individual's physical and mental health. It is estimated that 13 percent of people who are infected with HIV do not know that they have the virus because they have never been tested. Getting tested and knowing one's HIV status will equip residents with the information needed to keep them healthy and is an act of self-care.

Kent County has a higher-than-average percentage of people who are diagnosed with HIV at a later stage, meaning they have AIDS or Stage 3 HIV at the time they test. Testing for HIV is important because there are often no symptoms when someone has HIV. Once someone is diagnosed with HIV, medications will help bring the level of the HIV virus in their blood to a point where it is "undetectable," meaning they are not able to spread the virus to others. With medications, people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives.

Free HIV testing is always available by appointment at KCHD's Fuller Clinic by calling (616) 632-7171.