LANSING - In an effort to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is recognizing June 27 as National HIV Testing Day.

"This year marks the 27th anniversary of HIV/AIDS," said Janet Olszewski, MDCH director. "Unfortunately, an estimated quarter of a million Americans are currently infected with HIV and do not know it. Having yourself tested can save lives, especially your own."

The national public awareness campaign is designed to educate the public about HIV counseling, testing and referral, and to encourage more people to assess their risk of HIV infection. This year's National Testing Day theme, "Take the Test, Take Control" has been chosen to motivate individuals to be tested and by learning their test results, if positive, get treatment, and if negative, assess their risk and change behaviors that put them at risk.

For the estimated quarter of a million Americans who are infected with HIV but do not know it, knowing their status could save their lives. In MDCH funded testing sites throughout Michigan, more than 68,000 people are tested for HIV every year, and approximately 350 of those tests are positive for HIV.

Testing for HIV can be anonymous or confidential and is offered through a variety of options. Testing is conducted by either a traditional blood draw or orally (by mouth) using a swab that gently collects cells in the cheek and gum area inside the mouth and provides quick, accurate, and painless results. There is also the option for a rapid HIV test at some testing sites, which takes only 20 minutes to obtain preliminary test results. Testing is offered throughout Michigan to accommodate client needs.

National HIV Test Day is one day a year when local health departments and community-based organizations work in collaboration to provide HIV testing opportunities for at-risk populations. These opportunities are provided through mobile clinics, outreach at bars, parks and churches and community-wide events.

Events are planned across Michigan to raise awareness and promote HIV testing among Michigan residents. A list of the events in your area can be found at www.mihivnews.com.

For a testing site in your area, please call 1-800-872-AIDS or visit www.aidspartnership.org. You can also contact your county's local health department by going to www.michigan.gov/mdch and clicking on the Local Health Department Map to the right under Quick Links or go to www.michigan.gov/dap and click on Michigan's HIV/AIDS Case Management Agencies or Counseling and Testing Sites in Michigan.