Marion County, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Marion County (DOH-Marion) invites the community to attend the National HIV Testing Day event on Thursday, June 27, 2024.

The event will be held from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at:

Walgreens

807 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

Ocala, FL 34470

In recognition of National HIV Testing Day, DOH-Marion will host a free outreach event to provide materials about HIV, the importance of testing, and other educational resources. Free testing will be available. No appointment necessary.

Protect yourself. Get tested. Know your status. Learn what’s next.

Knowing your status is the first step toward effective HIV prevention and treatment. Individuals at risk of contracting HIV can reduce their risk for HIV by using appropriate prevention strategies, such as taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), using protection, and getting tested regularly. Contact a health care provider to find out if PrEP is recommended for you.

If you test positive for HIV, seeking HIV treatment is critical. Antiretroviral therapy can help people live longer, healthier lives. People living with HIV who take antiretroviral medication as prescribed and have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partners. Both PrEP and HIV treatment medications are now available as pills and long-acting injectables.

DOH-Marion provides routine HIV testing, PrEP, and other HIV-related services as well. For more information about the event or to schedule an appointment, call 352-629-0137.

We have the power to both prevent and treat HIV. Visit KnowYourHIVStatus.com to learn about testing options in your area or to order a free at-home HIV testing kit mailed directly to the address of your choice. For more information, call 1-800-FLA-AIDS, or 800-352-2437; en español, 1-800-545-SIDA; in Creole, 1-800-AIDS-101.ress release body.

About the Florida Department of Health

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on X at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit FloridaHealth.gov.