Health and Disability Services celebrate World AIDS Day by giving free testing
On Thursday, Dec. 1, Alcorn State University’s Health and Disability Services offered free HIV/AIDS testing to students in honor of World AIDS Day. The event allowed students to find out their status by using the newest testing method called “Rapid HIV Testing.”
Dr. Wandra Arrington, assistant director of Alcorn ‘s Honors Curriculum Program stated, “It is very important that we recognize those individuals who are battling HIV/AIDS. As a human race, our main goal should be to inform others on the seriousness of these diseases and also the need to show compassion to those that are currently facing them.”
According to the Center for Disease Control, nearly half of the 20 million new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) diagnosed each year are among young people aged 15–24 years old. About 1 in 4 (26 percent) of all new HIV infections are among youth ages 13 to 24 years old. About 4 in 5 of these infections occur in college age males and females.
Junior business administration major Austin Pope of Kansas City, Missouri stated, “It is vital that everyone gets tested because we all must take precautionary steps to live a healthy lifestyle. One key thing that everyone can do is protecting themselves.”
Junior pre-nursing/biology education major Kiara Harris stated, “I think it is a wonderful thing for Alcorn to offer Rapid HIV Testing to students. It not only brings awareness to the cause, but it also gives students who test positive for HIV a chance to be treated and prevent the disease from being passed to others.”
To get tested and know your status, visit the Health & Disability Services (Infirmary), Rowan Hall or contact (601) 877-6460.
