Mobile hepatitis and HIV testing coming to Stowe

-HEALTH-

Allegheny Health Network plans to operate a free mobile testing unit for HIV and hepatitis C in the parking lot of the Stowe Township Municipal Building.

The Center for Inclusion Health is running the program, which will be available on the first Thursday of every month from 1 to 4 p.m.

“Nobody’s turned away,” said Carolyn Doubt, a mobile community health worker.

Doubt requested permission to use the location during the Aug. 8 Stowe Township workshop. According to Doubt, 14% of people who have HIV don’t know they are infected. Half of those with hepatitis C don’t know they have the disease.

“The treatments are so advanced now you can live happy, healthy lives for a long time,” Doubt said.

Currently, the testing unit sits in McKees Rocks Plaza in front of Rite Aid, but Doubt said she thought the location on Broadway Avenue would yield more foot traffic.

“It’s easy, it’s free, it’s confidential and you get your results in 20 minutes,” she said.