Free HIV testing kits now available at 7 metro Atlanta Walmart stores

July 26th, 2024

Telemedicine company MISTR is providing seven Walmart stores in metro Atlanta with free test kits. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Metro Atlanta residents can now pick up free HIV test kits at seven area Walmart stores.

Telemedicine provider MISTR is offering test kits until supplies last to address widespread HIV infections in Georgia, an issue that public health officials have termed an epidemic for years. Atlanta ranked third-highest for rate of HIV infections in 2022 among metro areas in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Per the agency, around 16% of Georgians with HIV do not know they have the virus.

The epidemic disproportionately affects Black and Latino gay and bisexual men. Black and Latinx populations experienced lower viral suppression than white populations in 2022, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

“There is an undeniable HIV crisis in Georgia with not enough resources available,” Tristan Schukraft, CEO and founder of MISTR, said in a press release Thursday.

MISTR also provides pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a once-daily HIV prevention pill, through online consultation and at-home lab testing.

“This program addresses the community’s need for care options and increased sexual health education,” Schukraft said about the free test kit program. “I am proud that MISTR continues to democratize access to PrEP, DoxyPEP and long-term HIV care and show up for these underserved individuals.”

Walmart stores offering testing kits are located in Atlanta, Decatur, Ellenwood, Morrow and Stockbridge. The Georgia Department of Health also offers free HIV testing kits for pickup or by mail.