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In Recognition of National HIV Testing Day today, the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) urges New Yorkers to take control of their health by learning their HIV status. As the State’s largest provider of HIV primary care, HHC hospitals and health centers have tested more than 1.3 million people since 2005 when the public hospital system began making HIV testing part of routine medical care for patients by offering tests in emergency rooms, in-patient units, and outpatient clinics. HHC provides HIV testing and treatment services throughout the five boroughs. To find an HHC public hospital or clinic that offers HIV testing call 311 or visit http://www.nychhc.org/hhc.

“Everyone should take the opportunity to find out how and where to get tested, as we recognize national HIV Testing Day,” said HHC President Dr. Ram Raju. “HHC is committed to providing HIV testing and treatment to all New Yorkers to keep our communities healthy. Early diagnosis is critical to living a long and healthy life.”

HHC’s 11 acute care hospitals are Designated AIDS Centers, and HHC hospitals and community health centers offer specialized HIV care to all New Yorkers, regardless of ability to pay or immigration status. Services include:

• Rapid HIV testing – It is fast, easy and a confidential consultation is provided. Tests are available at all HHC hospitals and community health centers in the five boroughs. Get results in less than 30 minutes.
• Access to Care – HHC healthcare facilities have a seamless system to immediately link people to continuous, team-based and coordinated quality care when they learn they are infected with HIV. People with an HIV diagnosis receive antiretroviral treatment and self-management health education to help them be healthier, live longer and prevent transmission.
• Expert HIV/AIDS Providers – From physicians to support staff, the NYC public hospitals are home to nationally recognized HIV/AIDS specialists who have been on the front lines in the battle against this illness, providing compassionate care, testing, developing treatment plans and participating in important research.
• MetroPlus Health Plan – HHC’s health insurance plan, MetroPlus has an HIV Special Needs Plan that provides comprehensive and targeted medical and support services to people facing HIV/AIDS.

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation’s 30 year leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS was recognized in 2011 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for achieving a major milestone: one million unique New Yorkers tested for HIV. HHC’s routine HIV testing program is now considered the largest of its kind by any single healthcare system in the U.S.

Contact:
Jennifer Bender, (HHC) (212) 788-3339

About NYC Health + Hospitals

The NYC Health + Hospitals health care system is a $6.7 billion integrated healthcare delivery system, the largest municipal healthcare organization in the country, and one of the New York area’s largest providers of government-sponsored health insurance, MetroPlus Health Plan, the plan of choice for nearly half a million New Yorkers. The NYC Health + Hospitals health care system serves 1.4 million New Yorkers every year and more than 475,000 are uninsured. The system provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, five skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 70 community based clinics. NYC Health + Hospitals/Home Care also provides in-home services for New Yorkers. The NYC Health + Hospitals system was the 2008 recipient of the National Quality Forum and The Joint Commission’s John M. Eisenberg Award for Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org or find us onhttps://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem or twitter.com/NYCHealthSystem.

Tags:
• HIV
• New Yorkers