Black voices underscore the lifesaving value of regular HIV testing  

By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

On June 27, National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) 2026 will encourage Americans to focus on self-compassion and respect, and to take charge of their sexual health as an important part of self-care under the theme, “Level Up Your Self-Love: Check Your Status.”

Routine HIV testing serves as a critical means of maintaining one’s overall health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that individuals ages 13 to 64 get tested at least once, with annual screenings for those at higher risk. 

And because Black men in America face higher risks of infection and systemic barriers to care, knowing their status is the first step toward accessing resources like PrEP (a medication that prevents the contraction of HIV) and prompt treatment. 

That’s why health advocates recommend that all Americans participate in the annual, nationwide opportunity to know their HIV status. 

Locally, in the Greater Washington area, Us Helping Us People Into Living, Inc. (UHU) will hold free, confidential rapid HIV and STI testing at two participating Walgreens locations in Maryland on June 27. 

UHU, established in 1985 with a group of volunteers, has two locations in the D.C. area that provide a mental health clinic among other services. In addition, UHU’s staff remains committed to offering health equity for underserved and marginalized populations in the metropolitan area.

According to a spokesperson for UHU, the two testing sites include Walgreens located at 9001 Woody Terrace in Clinton, Md.; and 5741 Silver Hill Road in District Heights, Md. Both testing sites will operate from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 27, and will also provide a free box lunch while supplies last. 

According to the CDC, in 2022, an estimated 1.2 million people in the U.S. were living with HIV, while 13 percent of people with HIV were unaware of their status. Further, an estimated 40 percent of new HIV diagnoses are transmitted by those who are unaware of their status.

HIV testing is the pathway to connect people with care and help them remain healthy regardless of their test result. Those who test positive can begin antiretroviral therapy to stay healthy. People who have a negative test can learn how to access HIV prevention options that include PrEP and condoms. 

Black men weigh in on the benefits of getting tested regularly for HIV 

Harvey Sears, 57, who lives in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., learned that he was HIV-positive in 2002 after first contracting shingles. The diagnosis prompted him down a healthier path.

“After my doctor gave me the medicine I needed and I began to heal, I was advised to get tested for HIV because shingles is often an alert that you’re HIV-positive,” Sears said. “No one should want to pass the virus on to others, so getting tested is essential.”

“With advances in medicine, HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence,” he continued. “For me, taking my meds and taking better care of myself have given me a more positive outlook on life. Supposedly, researchers are close to a cure. But in the meantime, people like me can look to the future with optimism.” 

Like Sears, Jerry White, 63, who lives in Bronx, N.Y., tested positive for HIV in 1997. He said he’s learned a lot about maintaining a better health regimen and is a staunch advocate for practicing safe sex. 

“Getting tested regularly is important because if you are positive, you can expect your body to change as the virus replicates,” White said. “Unfortunately, with the new medications like PrEP, people have become more complacent. As for the younger generation, they don’t understand the seriousness of this disease. They weren’t around when people with HIV/AIDS were dying in record numbers with no hope of surviving the virus. 

“Yes, we can live longer but we have to educate and protect ourselves,” White said. “Having an open, honest conversation with your sexual partner is critical. And it’s always a good idea to wear a condom every time you engage in sex.” 

As the coordinator for the Atlanta North Conference Sons of Allen, the official men’s fellowship and ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, Cyril Mayes said he’s surprised that he has heard nothing about National HIV Testing Day throughout the Atlanta region. 

“Until speaking with the AFRO, I had no idea that Saturday, June 27, was the annual day of testing for HIV in the U.S.,” said Mayes, 66, who lives in Stone Mountain, Ga., and attends Big Bethel AME Church in Atlanta.

“I have heard over the past three or four years that because of new medications, those who test positive can live much longer lives without suffering complications from the virus that once led to a quick and painful death,” said the husband, father and grandfather. “But there’s still no cure, so testing remains important.”

Mayes said injustice and inequality in America breed conditions that require Black people to more closely monitor their health and to undergo routine testing for diseases. 

“African Americans are overrepresented by poverty, according to the latest U.S. Census data which reports that over 8 million Black Americans – about 17 percent to 18 percent – live in poverty,” Mayes said. “The percentage represents more than double the poverty rate of non-Hispanic white Americans. 

“We live in food deserts and have inadequate options for healthcare, not to mention the financial gap that exists. Diseases like HIV or even colon cancer are preventable and treatable if detected in the early stages. Unfortunately, they’re not playing those commercials on the hip-hop radio stations.” 

To join the conversation on social media, use the hashtags #HIVTestingDay and #StopHIVTogether or visit www.cdc.gov/hiv/awarenessdays/index.html.

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