Free 60 second INSTI HIV tests are available on site at the Essence Music Festival
RICHMOND, B.C., July 3, 2015 –- bioLytical Laboratories Inc., exclusive manufacturer of the 60 second INSTI HIV-1/HIV-2 Antibody Test, has teamed up with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and Greater Than AIDS this year to provide free HIV testing in conjunction with the annual ESSENCE Music Festival, taking place July 2 – 5, 2015 in New Orleans. The Company is dedicated to supporting initiatives that raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and to encourage individuals to get tested.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1.2 million people are living with HIV infection in the United States, yet 20 percent of those do not know their status. In addition, African Americans have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, accounting for more new infections than any other race or ethnicity in the United States.
ESSENCE Music Festival features a host of entertainment stars and African-American leaders. The festival will also feature empowerment seminars by nationally known speakers and concerts by top artists, such as Missy Elliott. “INSTI is the perfect tool for large community events such as ESSENCE Fest. People are more akin to getting tested when results are quick” said Richard Galli, Chief Technical Officer of bioLytical Laboratories. “No other test provides results in as little as sixty seconds thus allowing for up to 20 times the testing volume compared to other tests on the market.”
Early diagnosis and treatment can save lives and is known to reduce the spread of HIV. Rapid HIV testing will be offered free of charge throughout the weekend at the Greater Than AIDS booth, where visitors will also receive information about HIV/AIDS. There will be over 1,000 INSTI HIV Antibody Tests conducted this weekend due to bioLytical’s donation.
Greater Than AIDS is dedicated to increasing awareness of the importance of testing, decreasing stigma, and facilitating conversations and education around testing. bioLytical’s INSTI, its 60 second HIV test, is specifically suited to increase access to testing and increase the number of individuals getting tested, especially in high volume settings, all while reducing anxiety and intimidation around testing.
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