Largest HIV testing event in the United States increases access and supports a more coordinated, re-energized response to HIV
DEERFIELD, Ill. & SAN FRANCISCO, June 13, 2023 – Walgreens is teaming up with Greater Than HIV, a public information initiative of KFF, along with health departments and community organizations, to provide free HIV testing and counseling as part of the largest National HIV Testing Day event in the nation. Hundreds of local health departments and community organizations will be at more than 400 Walgreens stores offering free, confidential and fast HIV test results.
“This unique community-led effort brings people together in a familiar setting to receive a free HIV test, get the latest on HIV prevention and treatment and connect with local services,” said Tina Hoff, senior vice president, KFF. “Our Greater Than HIV and Walgreens National HIV Community Partnership provides a great opportunity to help people know their HIV status and take action to protect their health.”
Click here for a list of participating Walgreens stores and hours to get a free HIV test on Tuesday, June 27. Counselors will be available to answer questions about HIV prevention and treatment options, and provide referrals for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), FDA-approved medications that are highly effective in preventing HIV.
HIV test manufacturers, Abbott, BioLytical Laboratories, Inc., Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. and OraSure Technologies, Inc., donated rapid tests to support the activation.
“Each year on National HIV Testing Day, Walgreens teams up with Greater Than HIV, KFF’s public information initiative, and community partners to provide free and confidential HIV testing and counseling at hundreds of Walgreens locations, especially in areas disproportionately impacted by HIV,” said Rick Gates, chief pharmacy officer, Walgreens. “This program builds on our local and national initiatives to reach people in community-settings so that HIV prevention and treatment options are more equitable, accessible and convenient.”
KFF’s Greater Than HIV and Walgreens National HIV Community Partnership is an ongoing commitment to work with local health departments and community organizations to expand HIV testing and information through non-traditional settings. Since 2011, the partnership has provided more than 76,000 free HIV tests, including over 15,000 self-tests provided during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Walgreens is committed to expanding testing as a critical component in ending the HIV epidemic, helping to inform individuals if they should be linked to HIV treatment services or if they qualify for PrEP. All of these tools help to prevent further transmission of HIV.
In addition to providing services to help prevent and treat HIV, Walgreens invests in training its pharmacy team members to address the specific challenges faced by people living with HIV. More than 3,000 Walgreens pharmacists are specially trained to offer one-on-one, confidential and stigma-free HIV care including medication counseling, information on prevention options and how to apply for financial assistance programs.
About Walgreens
Walgreens is included in the U.S. Retail Pharmacy and U.S. Healthcare segments of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), an integrated healthcare, pharmacy and retail leader with a 170-year heritage of caring for communities. WBA’s purpose is to create more joyful lives through better health. Operating nearly 9,000 retail locations across America, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Walgreens is proud to be a neighborhood health destination serving nearly 10 million customers each day. Walgreens pharmacists play a critical role in the U.S. healthcare system by providing a wide range of pharmacy and healthcare services, including those that drive equitable access to care for the nation’s underserved populations. To best meet the needs of customers and patients, Walgreens offers a true omnichannel experience, with fully integrated physical and digital platforms supported by the latest technology to deliver high-quality products and services in communities nationwide.
About KFF
KFF is the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. Its mission is to serve as a nonpartisan source of information for policymakers, the media, the health policy community, and the public.
KFF’s Greater Than HIV initiative is a leading public information response focused on HIV in the U.S. Through localized Greater Than HIV campaigns, KFF works with health departments and community partners to reach those most affected and in need with the latest on testing, prevention and treatment. This public-private partnership model helps extend the reach of limited resources in high need areas.
Media Contacts
Jessica Masuga
Walgreens Media
media@walgreens.com
Rakesh Singh
KFF Media
(650) 854-9400
rsingh@kff.org
