Partnerships are a key element in making National HIV Testing Day and the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative a success. With COVID-19, we need to expand innovative HIV testing services in ways that allow us to continue on the path toward ending the HIV epidemic. This year, we are encouraging adults and young people to consider self-testing as an option when facility-based services and in-person patient-clinician contact are limited.

To help build momentum around self-testing, Greater Than AIDSExit Disclaimer (a public information initiative of KFF - Kaiser Family Foundation) with support from Walgreens and OraSure Technologies, Inc. is providing 10,000 self-test kitsExit Disclaimer to local health agencies and community-based organizations at no cost to those unable to get tested in-person. This partnership is a giant step in filling a need in our HIV community.

“We know that HIV testing is the critical first step in ensuring people get the prevention, treatment and care they need to help end the HIV epidemic. Yet, with COVID-19, it’s been harder for many Americans to get the HIV tests they need,” said ADM Brett Giroir, MD. “Self-testing provides an excellent alternative to tests that would be otherwise administered by our nation’s health care providers. So this announcement by Kaiser Family Foundation’s Greater Than AIDS initiative, OraSure and Walgreens, is a fantastic example of how public-private partnerships can be used to provide much needed solutions to some of our nation’s biggest health challenges.”

The theme for National HIV Testing Day is “Knowing.” Knowing your HIV status, knowing your risk, knowing your prevention options, and knowing your treatment options are all critical in preventing and treating HIV.  Knowing that together – we can partner to End the HIV Epidemic.

To learn more about HIV testing, visit:

• Ending the HIV Epidemic and National HIV Testing Day 2020Exit Disclaimer (Video message from ADM Brett Giroir, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health)
• Knowing - National HIV Testing Day 2020 (blog by Harold Phillips, OIDP)
• HIV.gov: National HIV Testing Day
• CDC.gov HIV Testing Basics
• Ready, Set, PrEP (a program that provides PREP medications at no cost to those who qualify)