LAS VEGAS – World AIDS Day is an opportunity to commemorate the progress made and to acknowledge the work still needed to end the HIV epidemic. This year’s theme is Ending the HIV Epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice. It highlights the need to address health inequities and to innovate and invest in the community to end the HIV epidemic everywhere.

In the past 40 years, more than 700,000 people in the United States have died from AIDS-related illnesses. In Clark County, more than 10,600 people are living with HIV and 325 were newly diagnosed in 2020. As part of Nevada’s Ending the HIV Epidemic grant, the Health District is focused on four areas:

• Diagnose all people with HIV as early as possible.
• Treat people with HIV rapidly and effectively to reach sustained viral suppression.
• Prevent new HIV transmissions by using proven interventions, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and syringe services programs (SSPs).
• Respond quickly to potential HIV outbreaks to get prevention and treatment services to people who need them.

World AIDS Day Events

• The Southern Nevada Health District will hold a grand opening for its Sexual Health Services clinic at 8 a.m., Wednesday, December 1, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4201 W. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89107. Free, rapid HIV testing is available between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Wednesday, December 1. Ongoing services will be available on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Services will include testing for HIV and STDs, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection, telehealth visits with a Health District provider, sexual health education and condoms. Services will be available by appointment and clients can call (702) 759-1700.
• Fast-Track Nevada, a statewide effort to end the HIV epidemic in Nevada, will make its debut on the Fast-Track Cities Global HIV Dashboard on World AIDS Day. Fast-Track Nevada is the first fast-track state in the United States. The dashboard includes statistics, community leadership messages, and highlights the robust services Nevada offers for HIV prevention, treatment, and care. A live demonstration of the site will be held at the Health District, 280 S. Decatur Blvd. from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Community members who would like to attend can register at https://conta.cc/3nxxyYx. For additional information about the event or the dashboard, contact Raychel Holbert, holbert@snhd.org.
• Express Testing will be available on World AIDS Day at the Southern Nevada Health District’s Sexual Health Clinic at 280 S. Decatur Blvd. with free, rapid HIV testing from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. In addition, anyone who is interested in getting tested for HIV can visit the Collect2Protect page to order test kits. The at-home HIV kits are free and allow people to receive their results in their homes. At-home test kits for gonorrhea and chlamydia are also available. Visit the Collect2Protect site for fee information: www.snhd.info/c2p.
• The Center will provide free, rapid HIV testing between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Wednesday, December 1 401 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89101. For information, contact The Center, (702) 733-9800.
• The Southern Nevada HIV Awareness Consortium presents Positively Art Exhibit and Artist Reception. See works of art by people living with HIV or affected by HIV at The Nunnery, 900 East Karen Ave A218, Las Vegas, NV 89109. The exhibition continues until Saturday, December 18, Thursday through Saturday from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Saturday, December 4:
  The Second Annual Living Red Ribbon event will be Saturday, December 4 from 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., at The Nunnery, 900 East Karen Ave A218, LV, NV 89109. Participants are encouraged to wear a red shirt or top as part of this event.

The CDC and Health District recommends all people between the ages of 13 and 64 receive at least on HIV test, will follow- up tests whenever a new risk is encountered. People at higher risk of HIV infection should consider getting an HIV test at least once every year and as frequently as every three months for people at higher risk. Early diagnosis is critical for people with HIV so that they can benefit from antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART reduces HIV levels in the bloodstream, reduces HIV-related illnesses, and lowers the risk of transmitting HIV to intimate partners. With ART, HIV-positive people can remain healthy for many years.