News Summary
National HIV Testing Day on June 27 offers free and confidential HIV testing at various Walgreens locations for residents in southern Indiana and western Kentucky. Matthew 25 AIDS Services is encouraging community participation to raise awareness about personal HIV statuses and improve health outcomes. Testing will be available from 10 am to 7 pm in Evansville, Owensboro, Henderson, and Bowling Green, with a mobile testing unit in Owensboro. Additionally, a new pharmacy has opened to provide specialized care for individuals living with HIV, enhancing accessibility to essential medications.
Evansville, IN – National HIV Testing Day, celebrated on June 27th, is an opportunity for residents in southern Indiana and western Kentucky to get tested for HIV at no cost. Matthew 25 AIDS Services is urging individuals to take advantage of this free and confidential HIV testing, aimed at raising awareness of personal HIV statuses and fostering better health outcomes in the community.
Testing will be available at various Walgreens locations from 10 am to 7 pm. The participating stores include:
- Evansville, IN – 4701 N. First Avenue
- Owensboro, KY – 2318 Frederica Street
- Henderson, KY – 402 Second Street
- Bowling Green, KY – 1145 US 31 W Bypass
This year’s initiative has expanded to include Evansville as a testing location, in addition to three other cities where Matthew 25 has partnered with Walgreens for HIV testing in previous years. The introduction of a mobile testing unit, which features two examination rooms, represents a significant enhancement in their outreach efforts. The mobile unit will be stationed at the Owensboro location on National HIV Testing Day.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 8 individuals living with HIV in the United States are unaware of their infection status. National HIV Testing Day aims to reduce transmission rates through early detection, which is critical in accessing timely care and prevention measures.
In conjunction with the testing event, Matthew 25 recently inaugurated a pharmacy within the Old Post Office at 101 NW First St. in Evansville. While the pharmacy has been operational since April, an official ribbon-cutting ceremony recently marked its opening. The pharmacy is designed to provide specialized, patient-centered care specifically for individuals living with HIV.
This pharmacy allows patients to access vital antiretroviral medications essential for effective HIV management. Matthew 25 reports a viral suppression rate exceeding 90% among its patients, a statistic pivotal for preventing the transmission of the virus. The new in-house pharmacy aims to ease access to medications, allowing patients to collect their prescriptions immediately after medical appointments—thereby directly addressing several existing barriers to treatment, which include lack of insurance, transportation challenges, and societal stigma.
Matthew 25 is committed to reducing barriers to HIV treatment and leverages federal funding to support its prevention initiatives in the region. The organization is actively working to enhance coordination with various nonprofits, health providers, and public health officials to bolster HIV prevention efforts.
The pharmacy also navigated extensive regulatory processes to become operational, including securing relevant state licenses and passing inspections from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Furthermore, the pharmacy employs staff who assist patients with insurance authorization issues right within the facility, making healthcare navigation smoother and more efficient for those in need.
This initiative by Matthew 25 AIDS Services not only aims to improve testing rates but also strives to ensure that individuals living with HIV receive the necessary resources and support for managing their health effectively. As the organization continues to address the multifaceted challenges surrounding HIV in the southern Indiana and western Kentucky region, community participation in events like National HIV Testing Day is essential for advancing public health and awareness.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- TriState Homepage: National HIV Testing Day
- Wikipedia: HIV Testing
- WBKR: National HIV Testing Day Locations
- Google Search: HIV testing events 2023
- WEVV: Free HIV and Hepatitis C Testing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: HIV
- Courier Press: Matthew 25 Evansville Pharmacy Ribbon Cutting
- Google News: Matthew 25 AIDS Services
Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER
The BOWLING GREEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBowlingGreen.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bowling Green, Warren County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Corvette Homecoming, International Festival, concerts at SKyPAC, and sports events at Beech Bend Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Museum Bowling Green Area, plus leading businesses in automotive, apparel, and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, Fruit of the Loom, and Med Center Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELexingtonKY.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
