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Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS Join to Bring Free HIV Testing to Chicago in support of National HIV Testing Day June 27

As part of its ongoing commitment to fight HIV/AIDS, Walgreens is collaborating with Greater Than AIDS to help offer free HIV testing in support of National HIV Testing Day, June 27.  Free testing provided by health departments and AIDS service organizations will be available to the public with no appointment necessary at 27 Walgreens stores in Chicago. For more information, including a complete list of participating Walgreens locations, visit www.greaterthan.org/walgreens.

What:             Free HIV testing, no appointment necessary

When:             Thursday, June 26, 3-7 p.m.

Friday, June 27, 3-7 p.m.

Saturday, June 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where:           27 locations in Chicago including:

Why:               According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1.1 million people nationwide are living with HIV/AIDS.  Yet, one in six do not know they are HIV/AIDS positive.1

 

Early diagnosis and treatment can improve health, extend life and help to prevent the spread of the disease. In fact, people with HIV who take prescribed medication regularly reduce the risk of transmitting the virus by as much as 96 percent.2

 

Community pharmacists at Walgreens HIV-specialized pharmacies are specially trained to provide continued support to meet the unique needs of HIV-positive patients. Walgreens HIV-specially trained pharmacists can help patients better manage their health by encouraging patients to take medications as prescribed and providing tips related to coping with barriers to care.

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  1. CDC. HIV surveillance—United States, 1981-2008. MMWR 2011; 60(21):689-93
  2. Cohen MS, Chen YQ, McCauley M, et al. Prevention of HIV-1 infection with early antiretroviral therapy. N Engl J Med 2011;365:493-505.

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