Walmart and the Elton John AIDS Foundation are joining forces with AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition to provide free HIV testing along with education materials and resources during six parking lot events around the Atlanta area. The events are in coordination with National HIV Testing Day, June 27, and will focus on expanding access to testing in local communities, a vital first step at effective prevention and treatment for people at risk of or living with the disease.
The mobile HIV testing events are taking place at the following parking lots and times:
- 9 a.m. – noon, Sam’s Club, 2901 Clairmont Rd., Atlanta, GA
- 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Walmart Supercenter, 844 Cleveland Ave, East Point, GA
- 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Walmart Supercenter, 1801 Howell Mill Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA
- 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Walmart Neighborhood Market, 3201 Tucker Norcross Rd., Tucker, GA
- 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., Walmart Supercenter, 6149 Old National Hwy., College Park, GA
- 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., Walmart Supercenter, 835 MLK Jr. Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA
The National HIV Testing Day events will feature mobile units and teams from AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition, along with Walmart’s Community Health Workers who can provide information in a safe and supportive setting. These teams will be on hand to offer counseling for additional resources and care, which will ultimately help lead to better health outcomes for people living with HIV.
There are approximately 250,000 people in the southern United States who are living with HIV, but who are not receiving regular HIV treatment. This indicates an urgent need for increased HIV testing, education, and resources in the area. Atlanta specifically has HIV prevalence 2x higher than the state average and 4x higher than the national average. Some Atlanta zip codes have prevalence 6-8x the national average.
Further compounding the health crisis, the AIDS epidemic disproportionately impacts communities of color. The epidemic also has a significant impact on the LGTBQ+ population, with half of Black gay men and a quarter of Latino gay men projected to be diagnosed with HIV within their lifetime.
“Walmart is committed to helping our customers live better, healthier lives by making quality, affordable healthcare accessible for the communities we serve. The collaboration with the Elton John AIDS Foundation is an important extension of our mission,” said Lori Flees, SVP and Chief Operating Officer, Walmart Health & Wellness. “By focusing on southern states, we’ll be able to advance health equity on a local level by increasing access to crucial testing resources for our customers who have the greatest need. We also hope to destigmatize testing since people will be able to get tested where they already shop for groceries and household essentials.”
‘The Elton John AIDS Foundation is committed to provide HIV prevention services and care to the most vulnerable communities globally and in America. By partnering with Walmart, we are able to increase everyday access to testing services for those who might not usually seek out HIV testing,’ says Anne Aslett, CEO, Elton John AIDS Foundation
‘For National HIV Testing Day, we are proud to have AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition on site at Walmart locations to provide free HIV screenings and educational resources. We encourage anyone in the area to visit a testing site on 27 June to find out your status and help end the AIDS epidemic in America.’
Walmart and the Elton John AIDS Foundation are united in a mission to increase access to HIV testing and resources and are committed to working towards a future free from AIDS.
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 220 million customers and members visit approximately 10,500 stores and clubs under 48 banners in 24 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2021 revenue of $559 billion, Walmart employs 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting https://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook and on Twitter.
About Elton John AIDS Foundation
The Elton John AIDS Foundation was established in 1992 and is one of the leading independent AIDS organisations in the world. The Foundation’s mission is simple: an end to the AIDS epidemic. The Elton John AIDS Foundation is committed to overcome the stigma, discrimination and neglect that keeps us from ending AIDS. With the mobilisation of our network of generous supporters and partners, we fund local experts across four continents to challenge discrimination, prevent infections and provide treatment as well as influencing governments to end AIDS. www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org
About AIDS Healthcare Foundation
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world’s largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 1.5 people in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. In the United States, AHF offers services in 16 states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
About Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition
The Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition is a community-based wellness organization committed to promoting health and dignity by reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, STI, and Substance Use within vulnerable communities. AHRC engages directly with grassroots advocacy, research and direct services to those made vulnerable by drug use, sex work, overdose, gender, STIs, HIV, hepatitis and other communicable diseases. We work to bring those individuals that engage in high-risk activities closer to prevention and health services, regardless of their choices, circumstances or lifestyle, and all services are free of charge. AHRC utilizes a Harm Reduction model to serve our clients, a non-judgmental approach that allows AHRC to meet individuals “where they are” so we can identify and reduce the harm associated with their situations, such as substance abuse, injection drug use, sex work and other marginalizing conditions. Using this approach, we accept and work with people “as they are” which allows us to help people live healthier lives by tailoring specific risk-reduction plans based on an individual’s specific lifestyle related (self-identified) risks and reasonable (self-set) goals.
Website: https://atlantaharmreduction.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATLHarmReduction
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AHRCgram_official
