National HIV testing Day: Meeting Our Community Where They Are
Observed every June 27th since 1995, National HIV Testing Day encourages people of all ages to get tested for HIV, know their status, and access care or prevention services.
While HIV is most transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, other factors, such as unstable housing and limited access to healthcare, can also increase a person’s risk of infection and transmission. Our HIV Services Department is designed to counteract these structural barriers by delivering comprehensive, community-centered services that reduce vulnerability, expand access to care, and expand long-term health.
During clinic hours anyone free confidential 20-minute Rapid HIV antibody and antigen testing at Whittier.
Our community outreach workers also conduct testing on a mobile medical van at homeless shelters and various other high-risk locations. They are out in the community five days a week, providing HIV screening, condom and safe sex kit distribution, and referral to comprehensive care. They also identify individuals who were previously diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and link them to treatment.
All testing sessions, whether in-clinic or in the community, include risk reduction counseling and relevant referrals within the health center. Those who test positive for HIV are immediately linked to a medical case manager who will act as their point person for coordination of care.
Whittier works to address health inequities through targeted outreach, culturally responsive education, and integrated medical and behavioral health support. By meeting patients where they are – whether in our health center or through our mobile outreach programs – we aim to prevent new infections and support those living with HIV.
In observance of National HIV Testing Day, Whittier Street Health Center invites patients and the community to a special celebration of health, wellness, and unity.
On Friday, June 26, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, the health center will host a vibrant Community Cookout at 1290 Tremont St., Frederica M. Williams Building, Roxbury, MA 02120. This free, public gathering aims to bring together community to share a hot meal straight from the grill, enjoy music, and take proactive control of their personal well-being in a supportive environment.
At the heart of this event is a vital health mission. Attendees will have access to free, rapid, and confidential onsite HIV testing, alongside immediate connection to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) resources and medical navigators. Routine screening remains critical, particularly as HIV continues to disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities due to systemic healthcare inequities, lack of preventative resources, and cultural stigma. By normalizing testing at a joyful neighborhood cookout, Whittier seeks to break down these barriers, empower individuals with knowledge, and provide the life-saving tools necessary to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
