How to Get Free HIV Testing in DC

About 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV or AIDS, according to the Center for Disease Control. It also says that 40,000 people each year become infected with HIV. About a quarter of the people in the United States who have HIV or AIDS do not know, the Center for Disease Control also reports. This means that other people are being put into a dangerous situation without even knowing about it.Washington D.C. has a high population of residents who are infected by HIV or AIDS.To address the issue, Washington D.C. has launched an HIV/AIDS Administration as part of its Department of Health. This administration has provided funding for free HIV/AIDS test at sites throughout the city. Here are places where people in the Washington D.C. area can get a free HIV test.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Go to the Max Robinson Center of the Whitman-Walker Clinic. It is located at 2301 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE, Washington D.C. The Max Robinson Center offers free anonymous and confidential HIV testing from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The clinic is named after the nation's first African-American network news anchor, Max Robinson, who died of AIDS in 1988. It provides a wide range of services to the community east of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., and for Prince George's County residents in Maryland.
2. If you are a woman, go to the Women's Collective. It offers free testing for HIV to anyone seeking to know their HIV status. Walk-in to their office at 1436 U Street, NW, Washington D.C., Suite 200, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday for a free HIV test, safer sex brochures, condoms and other informational resources.
3. If you live near Delaware Street in southwest Washington, D.C., go to Unity Healthcare. It provides free HIV tests from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is located at 850 Delaware Street, SW, Washington D.C.
4. Go to the Carl Vogel Center if you live in northwest Washington D.C. It is located at 1012 14th Street, NW, Washington D.C., Suite 700. The Carl Vogel Center provides free HIV tests from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays. The late Don Vogel founded the organization in memory of his son, Carl, who died of AIDS in January 1989.
5. If you are a gay or bisexual youth, go to the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) Youth Center. The organization is dedicated to supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. It is located at 410 7th Street, SE, Washington D.C. If you would like to get an HIV test, you can come to the SMYAL Youth Center on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday nights from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Ask for Leandrea Gilliam.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many other locations in Washington D.C. that offer free HIV tests. Go to the website for Washington D.C.'s Department of Health to find more sites.
• Reduce your risk of HIV by practicing safer sex or abstinence.
• It is important to know your HIV status. You can get the health care that you need to live longer and you can prevent someone else from being infected with HIV.