Pine Belt organizations raise awareness for National HIV Testing Day

HATTIESBURG, MS. - According to the CDC, over one million Americans are infected with HIV and about one in 7 people don't know they have HIV.

Tuesday is National HIV Awareness Testing day in the Pine Belt. Hattiesburg's AIDS Service Coalition, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Forrest County Health Department, MAC AIDS Funds and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity organizations came together to host a free HIV testing event. The event was held at New Covenant Baptist Church and open to the public.

ASC Support Service Coordinator, Tren Burkett, says Mississippi is ranked one of the highest states for American's diagnosed with HIV. "There are some alarming statistics right now, currently in the nation...Mississippi, is ranked number nine for the HIV rate. So that’s very alarming, we need to get the awareness out there." Burkett said.

For more information on HIV testing in the Pine Belt, visit the AIDS Service Coalition website here.