The Department of Health Services (DHS) today announced a collaborative effort with Walgreens to provide free rapid HIV testing for anyone 18 years of age or older, with or without health insurance, at five Walgreens pharmacies in Milwaukee.
“Many people who are living with HIV do not know their HIV status,” said Karen McKeown, State Health Officer. “Our collaboration with Walgreens will give people in Milwaukee more options to get tested quickly and confidentially. When people know their HIV status, they can take steps to keep themselves and their partners healthy.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in seven individuals living with HIV are unaware that they have the virus. In Wisconsin, an estimated 1,200 people are living with undiagnosed HIV. The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care.
Tests are administered by Walgreens pharmacists in private consultation rooms and are available during pharmacy hours, with no appointment necessary. Preliminary test results can be provided in as little as one minute. Walgreens pharmacists are specially-trained to provide counseling and support services to those who need assistance and will connect patients to local resources to confirm results and provide additional health care services if necessary.
“Walgreens is committed to improving access to high quality HIV testing, prevention and treatment services and is proud to collaborate with the Wisconsin DHS to empower patients to know their HIV status,” said Glen Pietrandoni, Senior Director, Patient Care and Advocacy at Walgreens. “Our trained pharmacists in Milwaukee provide a safe and confidential environment for testing services and will equip patients with appropriate connections to follow-up testing and care.”
The rapid HIV testing is now available at the following Walgreens pharmacy locations in Milwaukee:
- 7171 N Teutonia Ave.
- 370 E Capitol Dr.
- 2826 N MLK Dr.
- 3522 W Wisconsin Ave.
- 2625 W National Ave.
Find out more about the importance of getting tested for HIV at GetTestedMKE.com.
Read More: www.wisc24.com
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