BERRIEN COUNTY — In recognition of World AIDS Day, the Berrien County Health Department reminds community members of the HIV services accessible to them.

World AIDS Day, an international observance on Dec. 1 dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS epidemic caused by the spread of the HIV infection and mourning those who have died of the disease. 

BCHD provides a range of HIV services to community members. State-certified nurses are experienced and trained to provide confidential or anonymous testing in a nonjudgmental manner. A nurse will ask questions about the risk of acquiring HIV and assist in developing a plan for risk reduction to help prevent future infection. 

“We celebrate the medical advancements that provide those living with HIV the opportunity for a long and healthy life,” Health Officer Guy Miller said. “Berrien County Health Department is committed to providing community members with a testing environment that doesn’t involve the stigma that’s attached itself to the disease.”

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends testing every three to six months for sexually transmitted diseases and infections. 

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 40 million people have died from HIV since the start of the epidemic in the early 1980s. Approximately 39 million people have reported living with HIV at the end of 2022. 

To learn more about the Berrien County Health Department’s HIV services, visit https://www.berriencounty.org/637/HIV-Services.