HIV and Other Tests Will Be Offered at Free Health Clinic for Uninsured Gulf Coast Residents

NOLA's AIDS Rate Is Almost Twice National Rate

New Orleans, Aug. 26 ...PRNewswire -- 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 New Orleans on Aug. 31 and Sept 1.  Patients should call 1-877-236-7617 to make appointments.

"Louisiana has a much higher rate of AIDS cases 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 rate of AIDS cases per capita in Louisiana was 24.0 cases per 100,000 people, according to Kaiser Family Foundation data from 2008. That is almost twice the national rate of 12.3 AIDS cases per 100,000.

Other services at the free clinic on from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Aug. 31 and from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 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, 1-877-236-7617, information about the Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 free clinic for both patients and volunteers is available at: www.freeclinics.us.

If you find you have a few nickels and dimes to spare, please write a check or call in a donation for this very worthy cause.