NYS Health Department encourages residents to test for HIV

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The NYS Health Department is offering free HIV self-testing kits to certain residents in New York.

The campaign includes advertisements on social media and across the web. They are prioritizing Latinas, LGBTQ+ individuals, and Black women for the giveaway.

Eligible people will receive a discount code for a free self-test kit. Everyone else will be referred to the AIDs Institute website for more information and resources.

Dr. James McDonald, the State Health Commissioner, says self-testing is a tool to empower people to take control of their sexual health, protect others, and reduce the transmission of HIV.

“Knowing how to prevent and control the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is the ‘freedom to know’ that can help people talk openly with their sexual partners and providers and to take control of their sexual health,” Dr. McDonald said in a statement. “HIV testing, including self-testing, is the first step everyone can take to know their status.”

You can find out more by taking the HIV Self-Test Eligibility Survey here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com.