HIV Testing at Exodus Homes Community Outreach Reaches Many

The Brown Penn Gym in the Ridgeview neighborhood of Hickory was packed today with a crowd of approximately 400 who turned out for the Exodus Homes Community Outreach event. A primary focus of the event was free HIV testing done via mouth swab with results available during the event, as well as information about how to protect against HIV infection. Rev. Reggie Longcrier, Exodus Homes Executive Director, explained, "The alarming HIV infection rates in the African American community can and must be addressed. We cannot afford to wait on this issue." The statistics on HIV and AIDS in the USA clearly show that all races are affected, but that ethnic minorities account for a disproportionate number of cases in most states. African Americans are particularly severely affected by the virus, and relatively high rates of HIV can be found in virtually every sector of the community. The latest Centers for Disease Control report1 on the US epidemic shows that in 2006, 73% of people diagnosed with AIDS were men. Within the African American population, men represent 64% of AIDS cases. Women comprised 36% of all African Americans diagnosed with AIDS in 2006.4 Black women represented 66% of AIDS diagnoses in women in 2006, though just 12-13% of American women are black.

The HIV testing initiative was a partnership between United Way sister agencies Exodus Homes and ALFA with support from Fairgrove Primary Health staff, and members of Exodus Missionary Outreach Church.. The demand from those who came was so great that they ran out of HIV tests by the end of the event, but were able to refer those turned away to make an appointment for testing with the two health care agencies in the future. Jennifer Hart Dockey, ALFA Executive Director, said "The Exodus Homes' outreach events are very effective in drawing people in for HIV testing, and we appreciate these creative opportunities that help us accomplish our mission." Laura Huffman,
RN with Fairgrove Primary Health was surprised at the number of people who came forward to be tested, "This outreach event was an amazing way to take preventive health care to the community."