National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) will be observed across the country and in Columbia through activities coordinated by PALSS, Inc. The 2026 NHTD theme is:
“Reset Your Routine: Embracing HIV Testing, Prevention, and Care as Part of Your Health Journey.”
This year’s theme emphasizes making HIV testing a regular part of healthcare maintenance to reduce the risk of transmission and ensure access to prevention and care services.
As we approach National HIV Testing Day, we also recognize June as Pride Month and commemorate the 46th anniversary of the first Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) published on June 5, 1981, documenting what would later become known as AIDS.
HIV testing, including self-testing, remains the pathway to connecting individuals to care and helping people stay healthy, regardless of their test result. Individuals who receive a negative test result can access HIV prevention tools such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), condoms, vaccines, and screening for sexually transmitted infections. Individuals who receive positive results can rapidly begin HIV treatment, antiretroviral therapy, or ART, to maintain their health and reduce transmission.
According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, an estimated 20,259 South Carolina residents were living with a diagnosis of HIV, including AIDS, in 2024. Of those, 1,584 individuals were newly diagnosed with HIV. Richland and Charleston counties rank first and second respectively in the number of reported HIV cases.
As of December 2022–2023, there were 6,261 residents in the Midlands Public Health Region living with a diagnosis of HIV, including AIDS. Of the 478 newly diagnosed individuals, men who have sex with men (MSM) represented the largest proportion of recent infections at 79%, followed by heterosexual contact at 13%.
In response, PALSS, Inc., in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Public Health, offers free HIV self-testing to individuals who may not have easy access to in-person testing services and to reduce stigma for those reluctant to seek testing in traditional settings.
PALSS, the longest-serving AIDS Service Organization in South Carolina, is celebrating 41 years of service to the community.
For more information, visit:
www.palss.org
Carmen Julious is available for media interviews to discuss the current state of HIV in South Carolina and how the community can become involved in National HIV Testing Day efforts to reduce stigma surrounding this preventable disease.
EVENT DETAILS
What
• Confidential HIV testing with results in as little as one minute
• STD screenings for:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis C
• Referrals for:
- PrEP Navigation
- Medical Care
- Behavioral Health Services
Where & When
Tuesday, June 23 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Facebook Live
PALSS Facebook Page
Thursday, June 25 | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Walgreens Store #9487
1223 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC
Thursday, June 25 | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
2638 Two Notch Road, Suite 108, Columbia, SC
Saturday, June 27 | 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
SC Black Pride 2026 – Maxcy Gregg Park
1806 Blossom St., Columbia, SC
Activities
• Live radio remote broadcasts on June 25, 2026
• Door prizes
• Refreshments provided
For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact Dean Edwards at 803-779-7257 or dean.edwards@palss.org.
