Helping fight spread of HIV

Mississippi is among the highest in the nation for new HIV infection diagnosis.

Recognizing this, Southern Area of the Links and My Brother’s Keeper decided to hold a free HIV and STD testing event at the Climb CDC in Gulfport today.

About 50 youth job corps and CDC students age 18 to 24 attended the event. Southern Area of the Links had Open Arms Healthcare Center set up to do the testing for these youth from noon to 2 p.m.

Not only was there free HIV and other STD testing for students, but there were also sessions that shared information on avoiding HIV infection and fighting stigmas attached with HIV.

My Brother’s Keeper provided attendees with hygiene kits, lunch, and prevention materials. Open Arms Outreach and Testing Manager Gerald Gibson said, “We are number four or number five in the nation for HIV case rates and so we are just looking at them knowing they’re status and being aware of their sexual health. We want to promote awareness and education. That’s what we’re trying to do is to give them the opportunity to know their status and to promote their sexual health and let them know it is okay to be who they are. Knowing your status is powerful. When you protect yourself you’re also protecting others.”

Southern Area Links hopes to hold more events like this in the future.