Free HIV and Other Tests Will Be Offered at Massive Free Health Clinic for Uninsured D.C. Area Residents

WASHINGTON, July 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Free HIV/AIDS tests, other significant tests and medical exams (including physicals) will be available to uninsured residents of the area when the National Association of Free Clinics holds a massive free clinic in Washington, D.C., on August 4.  Patients should call 1-877-233-5159 to make appointments.

"The District of Columbia has a much higher rate of HIV-related deaths than the rest of the nation, so we are pleased to be able to provide tests for this and other conditions to local residents at no cost to themselves," NAFC Executive Director Nicole Lamoureux said.  

The HIV-related death rate for D.C. is 38 persons per 100,000, but only 3.7 persons per 100,000 in the nation as a whole, according to the Kaiser Foundation State Health Facts. The clinic also will provide PSA tests for prostate cancer. Kaiser Foundation statistics show 534.5 incidences of prostate cancer for every 100,000 male residents in D.C. 

Other services at the free clinic on August 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, N.W., will include: medical exams (including physicals), EKGs, cholesterol blood tests, glucose tests for diabetes, blood pressure tests, muscular skeletal exams, urinalysis, pregnancy tests, hemoglobin tests and strep tests.

In addition, the free clinic will provide mental health services and pharmacy counseling. Providers will write prescriptions that conform to the generic programs offered by many drug stores. 

"Patients at the free clinic will be referred to resources in the community for ongoing care," Lamoureux said. "The goal is to connect uninsured patients to safety-net providers, such as free clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and hospitals."

Along with the toll-free number for appointments, 1-877-233-5159, information about the Aug. 4 free clinic for both patients and volunteers is available at: www.freeclinics.us.  

SOURCE National Association of Free Clinics