Southern Nevada Health District observes World AIDS Day
Public invited to Las Vegas events December 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 27, 2024
LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District joins with community partners in observing World AIDS Day on Sunday, December 1, a day of solidarity for those affected by HIV. In 2023, an estimated 39.9 million people were living with HIV globally. Approximately 1.2 million people in the United States have HIV; about 13% of them don’t know it and need testing. In Clark County, more than 12,000 people live with HIV and 500 were newly diagnosed in 2023.
The World AIDS Day 2024 theme is, “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress.” The goal is to acknowledge and celebrate the progress made while recognizing challenges in terms of HIV treatment. District Health Officer Dr. Fermin Leguen said, “World AIDS Day is an opportunity for individuals and communities to honor those who have died from AIDS-related illness, while standing together in the fight against HIV.”
The Health District’s mobile testing unit will be available on Saturday, November 30, at the Fantastic Indoor Swap Meet, 1717 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89102, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., to provide free, rapid HIV testing to the community. Information about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) will also be available.
The Health District offers express testing at no cost from 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday through Thursday at the Southern Nevada Health District Main Public Health Center, 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107 and at the Fremont Public Health Center, 2830 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89104, from 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. each Friday. No appointments are needed, but clients must be asymptomatic.
Same-day HIV testing and treatment services are also available in the Southern Nevada Community Health Center, 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107, and at the Fremont Public Health Center. HIV services include testing, medical, behavioral health, nutrition, case management, pharmaceutical and education. PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) navigation and treatment are available for those who test negative for HIV. Services are offered for insured and uninsured patients. Sliding fee scale discounts are available to all patients who qualify. For more information, visit Southern Nevada Community Health Center – A Federally Qualified Health Center at the Southern Nevada Health District.
The Health District also offers rapid HIV testing options including home HIV test kits. The Collect2Protect program allows users to conveniently and privately order an at-home HIV test kit at no cost and get their results at home. Test kits for chlamydia and gonorrhea are also available for a fee.
The schedule of local observances includes the World AIDS Day Brunch, set for December 1, from
11 a.m.–2 p.m. at The Nunnery, 900 E. Karen Ave., Suite A218, Las Vegas, NV 89109. Presented by the Southern Nevada Health Consortium, the brunch will be followed by the 5th Annual Human Red Ribbon. Participants are asked to wear a red shirt or top for this event.
In addition, a “Walk with a Doc” event on Saturday, December 14, starting at 8:30 a.m., will focus on World AIDS Day and efforts to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. The walk is at Angel Park, 241 S. Durango Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89145. It will be led by Dr. David Di John, Professor and Section Chief for Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Pediatrics. For more information, visit www.walkwithadoc.org.
For more information on World AIDS Day, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at World AIDS Day | CDC.
The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.