sti testing and treatment Archives

RHHDpr@vdh.virginia.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Feb. 6, 2024 804-807-1727

RHHD Commemorates National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Feb. 7

RICHMOND, VA —Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) commemorate National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Wednesday, Feb. 7 by encouraging Black Richmond and Henrico residents to get tested and seek treatment. This day also creates the opportunity for healthcare providers and policy makers to reflect on the ways racism, discrimination, and mistrust in the health care system may affect those seeking and receiving HIV prevention and treatment services.

This year’s NBHAAD theme is “Engage, Educate, Empower: Uniting to End HIV/AIDS in Black Communities.” This theme focuses on amplifying the dialogue around HIV/AIDS, improving education, and highlighting success stories and strategies. RHHD, along with community partners, offers services that include pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication that can reduce a person’s chance of contracting HIV after an exposure.

“RHHD is committed to expanding access to HIV testing and PrEP for our Black residents,” said Clinical Nurse Supervisor, Cassie Beamon. “We hope that National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day will encourage more community members, especially Black women, to seek the care they need.”

In 2021, 40% of all people living with HIV in the U.S were Black. But Black Americans only made up 14% of the population taking PrEP. Beamon sees a similar discrepancy in populations taking PrEP locally. In Richmond, proximity to resources like clinics and pharmacies, as well as insurance status, are still shaped by histories of redlining and segregation.

For more information about RHHD clinical services and to schedule an appointment, call (804) 205-3501 or visit rhhd.gov/VA-HIV-testing. The following RHHD community partners also offer STI testing services: Nationz Foundation (804) 716-7597, Minority Health Consortium (804) 225-0820, and Health Brigade (804) 358-6343 ext. 2145. Residents can find a testing site at the following link: CDC testing site locator.

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are sister public health agencies serving our connected communities. Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs.

rhhd.gov | henrico.gov/health | RHHD Facebook | IG: @richmondcity_hd

####

May 22, 2025
Media Contact: Rachel Dumene, rachel.dumene1@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-480-4998

Central Shenandoah Health District to Host Free Monthly STI Test & Go Clinics

LEXINGTON, Va. – The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) is announcing new free monthly Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing in the Lexington/Buena Vista area starting this May. These pop-up clinics are being offered in partnership with the Rockbridge Recovery Group Center (RRGC) in Buena Vista and Rockbridge Area Community Services (RACS) in Lexington.

These Test & Go clinics are intended to provide convenient access to healthcare within our community and are available to the public. CSHD’s newly refurbished mobile unit will be used to provide STI testing free of cost to participants. No insurance, identification, or payment is required. These clinics will be offered on a first-come first-served basis with no appointment needed.

The clinic will offer testing for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, & Syphilis. Patients who need treatment will be connected to healthcare providers for follow up care.

“Test & Go clinics are a great resource for any individual who is sexually active and needs access to STI testing,” says Allison Baroco MD, infectious diseases physician and interim health director for the Central Shenandoah Health District. “Rates of STIs have increased significantly in the past several years in Virginia and nationally, so it is more important than ever to know your status. Those with positive test results will be connected to counseling on treatment.”

The clinic schedule is listed below:

May 30, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, at Rockbridge Area Community Services, 241 Greenhouse Rd., Lexington, VA 24450
June 18, 3:30 – 5:30 pm, at the Rockbridge Recovery Group Center, at 119 E. 28th St., Buena Vista, VA 24416.
Every third Thursday of the month beginning in July, 3:30 – 5:30 pm, at the Rockbridge Recovery Group Center, at 119 E. 28th St., Buena Vista, VA 24416.

Routine STI testing and treatment is available at the Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro Health Department locations. Appointments for routine testing and treatment are required. Call your local health department to make an appointment.

More information about Test & Go clinics and routine STI testing and treatment can be found on the Central Shenandoah Health District website at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/central-shenandoah/health-services/sexually-transmitted-infections/.

For more information, you may call (540) 463-3185, or email cshdinfo@vdh.virginia.gov. For the latest schedule, check out our Facebook page @CentralShenandoahHealthDistrict.