Hum Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 CNN) -- Residents of the nation's capital can now get a driver's license and free HIV testing -- at the same time. A Department of Motor Vehicles branch in southeast Washington is offering testing for the disease under a pilot program aimed at educating residents and reducing stigma. "We realize that this is a nontraditional setting, but this program is about normalizing HIV and extending testing opportunities," said Angela Fulwood Wood, chief operations officer for nonprofit Family and Medical Counseling Service. "We chose the DMV because it offers a good cross-section of people." The nonprofit chose this particular branch -- the Penn Branch -- because infection rates have gone up in the area, Wood said. Penn Branch also has the most visitors and can accommodate confidential space to take the HIV test, local officials said. Results of the free oral test are available in 20 minutes. Test takers will get $15 to go toward DMV costs, but Wood emphasizes that knowing one's status is the primary incentive. more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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