MDHHS encourages residents to get tested during National HIV Testing Day

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) encourages Michigan residents to get tested and check their HIV status in observance of National HIV Testing Day, Saturday, June 27.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about one in seven people with HIV in the U.S. don't know their status and would benefit from testing and would benefit from testing, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. One person of every five diagnosed with HIV in Michigan since 2022 was a late-stage diagnosis, meaning they had been living with HIV for years without knowing. With proper testing and diagnosis, prompt treatment and ongoing preventive care, the CDC has found that more than 90% of new HIV cases in the U.S. could be prevented.

Ending HIV Together: Michigan's Equitable Plan is an effort to reduce new HIV infections by 90% by 2030 through increased diagnosis, treatment, prevention and coordinated response.

"National HIV Testing Day is an opportunity to take charge of your health plus help strengthen the health of our communities," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. "Knowing your HIV status empowers you to access prevention, treatment and support services that can improve health outcomes. Through Ending HIV Together: Michigan's Equitable Plan, we are working to expand access to testing, reduce stigma and ensure all Michigan residents have the resources they need to prevent, diagnose and treat HIV."

Currently, the CDC recommends everyone ages 13 and older be tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime as part of routine health care, and people who engage in condomless sex or injection drug use should get tested more often. Sexually active people who test negative for HIV are encouraged to ask their health care provider about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is a medication that, when taken as prescribed, prevents a person from getting HIV if there is an exposure to the virus.

With proper treatment, those who are living with HIV can reach an undetectable status. Undetectable Equals Untransmittable (U=U) means that a person living with HIV who takes medicine as prescribed can achieve viral suppression, a state where the virus cannot be detected. Of those diagnosed with HIV in Michigan during 2025,nearly 82% received HIV care and 74% were virally suppressed. Reaching viral suppression ensures those living with HIV can live longer, healthier lives and prevent transmission to sexual partners.

Many resources are available to provide free or reduced-cost HIV testing and treatment across Michigan. HIV testing locations and treatment resources can be found at Michigan.gov/HIVSTI. A free sexual health testing program, TakeMeHome, offers in-home HIV self-testing options that are available for eligible residents in certain ZIP codes.

Residents can also visit Michigan 211 to find available services to help prevent, diagnose and treat HIV.

To learn more about HIV testing, treatment and ending HIV stigma, visit CDC.gov/HIV. For more information on Michigan's effort to end the HIV epidemic, visit Michigan.gov/EndHIV.

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