On Monday, December 1, Cobb & Douglas Public Health (CDPH) will provide free, rapid HIV testing & counseling in support of World AIDS Day. Testing will be offered at the Marietta Public Health Center and the Douglasville Public Health Center from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Marietta Public Health Center is located at 1650 County Services Parkway in Marietta. The Douglasville Public Health Center is located at 6770 Selman Drive in Douglasville.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, Georgia ranked fifth in the nation for cumulative HIV/AIDS cases in 2012, with 64 percent of those cases living in the Metro-Atlanta area.
“HIV/AIDS continues to be a major public health concern and is a top priority of CDPH,” commented Rachel Franklin, HIV Program Manager, Cobb & Douglas Public Health. “We encourage our residents to protect their health and the health of others by getting tested.”
Individuals may be HIV positive for many years without symptoms. According to The National Resource Center for HIV/AIDS Prevention among Adolescents website, studies state that almost 40 percent of people with HIV are not diagnosed until they already have developed AIDS. This can be up to 10 years after they have become infected with HIV.
This event is open to everyone and no appointments are needed. All testing results are confidential and are available in 20 minutes.
For more information, contact the Cobb & Douglas Public Health Epidemiology Department at 770-514-2815 or 770-514-2432.