Celebrating National HIV Testing Day with Community Care
June 27 marks National HIV Testing Day, a pivotal public health observance day anchored in the importance of getting tested and knowing your HIV status. NASTAD and the Together TakeMeHome project recognizes HIV testing as both a medical necessity, and an act of community care.
A Day Rooted in Community Support
National HIV Testing Day was first observed in 1995 and launched by the National Association of People with AIDS. Although it was over a decade after HIV/AIDS had already claimed thousands of lives, the mid-90's was considered the height of the epidemic. By 1994, AIDS had become the number one leading cause of death for all Americans between the ages of 25-44. Knowing your status is the first step to taking care of yourself and your community.
HIV self-testing programs like Together TakeMeHome are critical for reaching individuals who have never been tested for HIV and want to connect to accessible prevention and care services. This CDC-funded initiative, led by Emory University and its partners, Building Healthy Online Communities (BHOC), OraSure Technologies, Signal Group, and NASTAD, launched in September 2022 to expand a nationwide HIV self-test distribution program with a goal of distributing at least one million HIV self-tests over five years.
In its first year, the Together TakeMeHome program mailed 443,813 free self-tests to 219,360 people in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, with about one in four recipients reporting that this was their first time ever getting tested for HIV.
This demand exceeded initial expectations — strengthening national efforts to reach more people with HIV testing in more places. This initiative highlights the effectiveness of mail-based self-testing in reaching key groups disproportionately affected by HIV, suggesting that clinicians, community organizations, and public health officials need to be aware of HIV self-test programs to better reach vulnerable populations. As of 2026, the program has surpassed its initial goal and distributed over one million free self-tests to people across the U.S. and its territories.
Testing in 2026: An Act of Care
One test can save a life. National HIV Testing Day is a reminder that individuals have the power to enact community change. Take the test, take control, and take care of yourself and one other. Visit Together TakeMeHome or Building Health Communities Online today to order a free kit for yourself or a loved one.