Walgreens and KFF’s Better Than HIV Be part of with Group Companions to Supply Free HIV and STD Testing at Document Variety of Shops on June 27

DEERFIELD, In poor health. & SAN FRANCISCO, June 11, 2024 – Walgreens and Greater Than HIV, a public Information initiative of KFF, are teaming up with Health departments and group organizations to supply free speedy HIV testing in additional than 550 Walgreens shops on June 27 within the largest coordinated Nationwide HIV Testing Day occasion.

Moreover, to handle the rising charges of different sexually transmitted ailments (STDs), free speedy syphilis and/or hepatitis C testing will even be provided by companions this yr in lots of places.

“This distinctive public-private partnership brings free speedy HIV and STD testing on to communities in a well-recognized setting and connects people to trusted native prevention and therapy service suppliers of their space,” stated Tina Hoff, senior vp, KFF.

A listing of taking part Walgreens shops and hours when free HIV and STD testing will likely be provided is on the market here; no appointment wanted. Testing is offered by native companions, in a personal space of the shop or cellular unit, with outcomes obtainable in 20 minutes or much less. Counselors may reply questions on HIV and STDs and supply the newest on prevention and therapy choices, together with referrals for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), FDA-approved drugs which are extremely efficient in stopping HIV, and different wanted care.

“This program is instrumental in reaching folks in group settings, making HIV prevention and therapy choices extra equitable, accessible and handy,” stated Rick Gates, chief pharmacy officer, Walgreens. “Along with offering companies to assist forestall and deal with HIV for greater than 40 years, Walgreens invests in coaching its pharmacy crew members to handle the particular challenges confronted by folks dwelling with HIV – together with confidential treatment counseling, Information on prevention choices and how you can apply for monetary help applications.”

Main HIV speedy take a look at producers together with Abbott Laboratories, BioLytical Laboratories, ChemBio Diagnostics, and OraSure Applied sciences donated exams to assist this yr’s effort. Moreover, ChemBio Diagnostics and Diagnostics Direct donated speedy syphilis exams.

Since 2011, KFF’s Greater Than HIV and Walgreens National HIV Community Partnership has offered greater than 82,000 free HIV exams by way of the in-store NHTD program, together with over 15,000 self-tests distributed through the top of the COVID-19 pandemic. That is the 14^th yr of the partnership and marks the best stage of participation – each when it comes to testing companions and shops – in this system’s historical past.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is included within the U.S. Retail Pharmacy and U.S. Healthcare segments of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), an built-in healthcare, pharmacy and retail chief. True to its function of “extra joyful lives by way of higher Health,” Walgreens has a greater than 120-year heritage of caring for communities and offering trusted pharmacy companies, and in the present day is taking part in a larger position as an unbiased associate of selection providing healthcare companies that enhance care, decrease prices, and assist sufferers. Working almost 9,000 retail places throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Walgreens is proud to serve almost 9 million prospects and sufferers each day. The corporate’s pharmacists are taking part in a extra vital position in healthcare than ever earlier than, offering a variety of pharmacy and healthcare companies, together with those who drive equitable entry to take care of a few of the nation’s most underserved populations. Walgreens provides prospects and sufferers a real omnichannel expertise, with absolutely built-in bodily and digital platforms designed to ship high-quality merchandise and healthcare companies. Throughout the U.S. Healthcare section, Walgreens portfolio additionally contains companies in main care, multi-specialty, post-acute care, pressing care, specialty pharmacy companies, inhabitants Health and supplier enablement.

About KFF
KFF is the unbiased supply for Health coverage analysis, polling, and journalism. Its mission is to function a nonpartisan supply of Information for policymakers, the media, the Health coverage group, and the general public.  

KFF’s Better Than HIV initiative is a number one public Information response targeted on HIV within the U.S. By means of localized Better Than HIV campaigns, KFF works with Health departments and group companions to achieve these most affected and in want with the newest on testing, prevention and therapy. This public-private partnership mannequin helps lengthen the attain of restricted assets in excessive want areas.