NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY OFFERS CITIZENS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN THEIR STATUS AND MAINTAIN HEALTHY TESTING HABITS (York, Pa.)- Family First Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing high quality, affordable care at its sites in York, Lewisberry and Hanover, is holding an HIV testing day on June 26th in honor of National HIV Testing Day to give citizens the opportunity to manage their health through awareness and regular testing. "It is important for everyone to get an HIV test so that every one of us knows our HIV status," said Karen McCraw, Director of Social Services for Family First Health. "If we test HIV positive, we have the opportunity to get medical care to help us stay healthy, and we can make sure we protect our partners from infection. Testing is easy and quick, and the results are confidential. Taking the test is truly taking control of our health." On June 26th, Caring Together, a collaborative partnership of Family First Health, WellSpan Health, and OPEN (Ordinary People, Extraordinary Needs), is holding the testing day in honor of National HIV Testing Day (officially, June 27th) to encourage people to get tested.Through a collaboration with OraSure Technologies, and the Mayor's Campaign Against HIV, the York City Health Bureau received 100 OraQuick tests valued at $1,300.00 for HIV testing through York mayor John Brenner's office. The free and confidential test requires no blood draw (it's a painless oral swab), no appointment, and gives results in 30 minutes. The York, Lancaster, and Harrisburg areas are third in the region behind Philadelphia and Erie for those infected with HIV in PA- adding to the evident need for regular testing. In a recent interview, Cindy Stewart, CEO of the Family Health Council of Central PA, a partner agency of Family First Health, said: "Family First Health is essential in the implementation of HIV Testing through their strong commitment to the community and the people they serve and manage. HIV Testing should be as regular as Breast Cancer testing because advanced testing technology and starting medicine early will result in a longer lifespan." Family First Health is integrating The Center for Disease Control's changes from "Opt In," choosing to be HIV tested, to "Opt Out," choosing not to be HIV tested, in regular office visits. The Center hopes that the decision to Opt Out will deter patients from choosing not to get tested. In addition, Family First Health is currently working to implement routine HIV Testing in family planning procedures in order to integrate it into regular office practices. About Family First Health Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry and Hanover. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information regarding the programs and services offered through Family First Health, please visit the Web site at www.familyfirsthealth.org. For more information regarding this news release, please contact Rick Dapp at 717-975-2148 or rdapp@hersheyphilbin.com. Sources: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/perinatal/resources/factsheets/opt-out.htm ###