AEGiS-PRn: UPMC Health System Commemorates World Aids Day With Free Walk-In HIV Testing, Counseling

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

UPMC Health System Commemorates World Aids Day With Free Walk-In HIV Testing, Counseling

PRnewswire - November 27, 2000

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- In conjunction with the 13th annual World AIDS Day, UPMC Health System will offer free HIV testing and counseling from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1. These services will be available at UPMC's HIV treatment arm, the Pittsburgh AIDS Center for Treatment (PACT), located in Suite 6A, Falk Clinic, 3601 Fifth Ave., Oakland. PACT offers comprehensive HIV services to HIV-infected individuals, regardless of their ability to pay.

Often people do not realize they are at risk for HIV," said Susan Hunt, M.D., PACT medical director. "In observance of World AIDS Day, PACT will offer complementary and confidential HIV counseling and testing, with no appointment necessary, for anyone who thinks they might be at risk. Counseling can help people who are HIV negative remain negative."

In addition to clinical services, educational information on HIV/AIDS will be available at the main entrance to Falk Clinic and at the UPMC Presbyterian cafeteria Nov. 27 through Dec. 1.

More than 2,500 Pittsburghers have developed AIDS since 1981, and 5,000 to 8,000 more are infected with HIV and could develop AIDS in the future, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

A number of innovative studies are underway at UPMC and at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) to better understand and treat HIV infection. For instance, several vaccines and drugs are being tested through the PITT Treatment Evaluation Unit, the HIV research arm of UPMC. At GSPH, the Pitt Men's Study is part of the longest-running national study of the natural progression of AIDS.

For more information about HIV counseling and testing, and about clinical services offered at PACT, call (412) 647-7228. For information about participating in clinical research studies, call (412) 647-8125. All calls are confidential.

CONTACT: Kathryn Duda or Lauren Ward, 412-624-2607, FAX: 412-624-3184, E-MAIL: dudak@msx.upmc.edu or wardle@msx.upmc.edu, both of UPMC Health System.

SOURCE UPMC Health System Web Site: http://www.upmc.edu

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