LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) joins with community partners in observing World AIDS Day on Friday, December 1, a day of solidarity for those affected by HIV. More than 32 million people have died worldwide from AIDS-related illness. In Clark County, more than 11,000 people are living with HIV and 488 were newly diagnosed in 2022.

On World AIDS Day, SNHD will offer free, rapid HIV testing from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at its Fremont Public Health Center, 2380 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89104. Information about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) will also be available. Additionally, Express Testing is available Monday – Thursday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed noon – 1 p.m.) at SNHD’s Southern Nevada Community Health Center Sexual Health Clinic, 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107. Testing at this location is for those who are asymptomatic and would like to know their HIV status.

SNHD also offers rapid HIV testing options including home HIV test kits. The Collect2Protect program allows users to conveniently and privately order an at-home HIV test kit at no cost and get their results at home. Test kits for chlamydia and gonorrhea are also available for a fee.

Area residents are invited to collectively create a community AIDS quilt on December 1 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at The Center, 401 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, 89101. This event will also feature music, food and free HIV testing. Also on the 1^st, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation will provide free HIV testing from 7 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. at Entourage Spa & Health Club, 953 E. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89104, and a reception will be held at Community Counseling Center, 714 E. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89104.

The local schedule of observances is being extended to include the following partner activities:

Thursday, November 30

• 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Free rapid testing will be available at the Southern Nevada Community Health Center Sexual Health Clinic, 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107.
• 4 p.m.: Aid for AIDSof Nevada (AFAN) will host the “Turning the Sign Red” event at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign.

Saturday, December 2

• Noon – 3 p.m.: People wearing red shirts will form a “human AIDS ribbon” on the south side of the Commercial Center, 900 E. Liberace Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89109.

Sunday, December 3

• 1 p.m.: The 35^th Annual Ribbon of Life Holiday Spectacular will be held at the Tropicana Las Vegas, 3801 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109. Sponsored by Golden Rainbow, this event supports people who are impacted by HIV/AIDS by providing emergency assistance, education, financial aid and affordable housing in a safe and inclusive environment.

For more information on World AIDS Day, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at World AIDS Day | CDC.