Cook County Jail Launches HIV/STD Testing

Finally, some good news in the public health field!  STD testing is back at Cook County Jail, and voluntary HIV testing will soon be offered to all detainees on intake.  From the press release:

"Bridget Gainer, Cook County Board Commissioner, Sheriff Tom Dart and AIDS Foundation of Chicago gathered today to officially launch the HIV/STD testing at the Cook County Jail. Using the newly designed medical intake facilities, all detainees who come through the jail will be offered testing for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Nearly 100,000 people each year are processed through intake at 26th and California, providing a critical opportunity to diagnose and treat sexually transmitted diseases. There are 45,000 people in Illinois living with HIV/AIDS, 75% of whom live in Cook County. This figure includes the nearly 7,000 people who are living with HIV but don’t know it. “Screening male and female detainees at the jail is a powerful public health intervention, allowing Cook County to help control the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases,” said Gainer.

Press release from Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer

Statement by Rev. Doris Green, Director of Correctional Health and Community Affairs

Chicago Tribune article

Chicago Sun-Times article

WBEZ Chicago Public Radio story

NY Times: For Inmates, H.I.V. Testing Should Make an Impact