Legislator, Dept. of Public Health, Offer Free HIV Testing Sunday

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D- La Cañada-Flintridge) and the Pasadena Department of Public Health will offer free HIV testing to the public at the Rose Bowl on Sunday.

HIV screening is an issue that Portantino is seeking to improve in California. He recently introduced AB 491, which makes changes to ensure that California law keeps pace with public health strategies relative to HIV screening. The state Office of AIDS estimates that there are approximately 32,000 Californians unaware that they are living with HIV.

The bill was recently passed by the state Assembly and is now in the Senate.

On Sunday, Portantino will take his HIV test at 1 p.m.

Pasadena reported 160 cases of HIV and 796 cases of AIDS in December 2010. Los Angeles County had the highest number of HIV and AIDS cases reported in the state. There were 16,285 cases of HIV and 57,083 cases of AIDS reported in December 2010. Information provided by the California Department of Public Health.

The CDPH estimates that thousands of Californians are living with HIV and do not know it.

If you would like to get your free HIV test, here is the info:

• When: Sunday June 26 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Where: Pasadena Rose Bowl, Lot B
• The test will be administered by Pasadena Public Health workers using a swab that will produce results in 20 minutes
• The testing is free and confidential
• Counseling will be available by PPH workers
• Free hot dogs will be provided by the Pasadena Firefighters Assoc.
• POWER 106 radio will be on site playing Hip Hop and R&B