EP 15: LET's TALK ABOUT SEX

www.elpasotexas.gov/public-health/services/std-and-hiv-prevention/ CITY OF EL PASO HIV PREVENTION PROGRAM
The City of El Paso Department of Public Health (DPH) HIV Prevention and
Services Program offers our community free HIV testing and other essential HIV prevention services. It is is open to the public from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. No appointment is required.
      “HIV preventive services are essential in any community and our goal is to make these services
readily available to those who need them while also working to eliminate any stigmas,” said City-County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza. “The renovated and new site will enable staff to provide adequate care in a safe, confidential and comfortable environment.”
Ocaranza said testing is especially important to reduce HIV transmission, as 2,455 El Paso County residents live with HIV, 109 of whom were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2021. Based on 2021 data from the Texas Department of State Health Services, 102,800 individuals were living with HIV in Texas and 4,377 were newly diagnosed. Nationwide, according to the CDC, an estimated 30,365 adults and adolescents were diagnosed with HIV in the United States at the end of 2020, the most recent year for which this information is available.

The city of El Paso program offers the following services:
HIV Prevention Services
• Free Confidential/Anonymous HIV Testing, Confidential Syphilis and Hepatitis C Testing
(HIV Prevention offers both the rapid finger stick and venipuncture blood draw)
• After-Hour Testing is offered from 5 to 8 p.m. every third Wednesday of the month
Linkage-to-Care Services
• Free Linkage-to-Care navigation services for people living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C
needing a healthcare provider.
• Free Linkage-to-Care navigation services for people seeking healthcare providers/clinics
who provide PrEP/PEP services in the El Paso region.
Housing Opportunities for Persons Living with AIDS (HOPWA)
Offering safe and stable housing options for those living with AIDS with the following eligibility
requirements:
• People living with HIV who have experienced or are experiencing homelessness
• Must be HIV Positive and residing within the City limits of El Paso
• Low income
Monthly MFactor Social Networking
Social Networking group of gay/bi and queer-identified men.
• Community building and outreach through fun social monthly events
• Monthly workshops focusing on healthy relationships and safer sex
• Safe space for the LGBTQ+ community and opportunities to get involved in the community.
Condom Distribution Services
• Free condoms and lubricant