Students can take advantage of free HIV testing next week in accordance with World AIDS Day.

 Student Health Services and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion are co-sponsoring the testing, which will be from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. today.

World AIDS Day has been an annual event since 1988 and serves as an opportunity for people around the world to unite in support of the fight against AIDS, as well as a day to remember those who died because of human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).

More than 1.2 million people in the United States are infected with HIV and of them, nearly seven percent are unaware that they have been infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC states that African-American men and women are at an increased risk of becoming infected. In particular, “men who have sex with men or MSM” are at the greatest risks of becoming infected.

Young persons in the age group of 13 to 24 years old account for an estimated 26 percent of total new infections in the United States.

Alicia Sanchez, director for the ODI, said she hopes everyone will utilize this opportunity open to the WSU community.

“With almost 60 percent of the infected youth in the U.S. unaware that they are HIV-positive, it is imperative that WSU students utilize this opportunity for free testing,” she said.

Though there is no cure available for HIV, early diagnosis and treatment can lead to prolonged life and increased quality of life.

The ODI said it is encouraging all WSU students, staff and faculty to join them in Ahlberg Hall to “Know your status!”

For more information, contact Student Health Services at 978-3620 or the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034.