Since 2011, KFF’s Greater Than HIV/STD’s public information initiative has teamed with Walgreens to bring local testing partners into stores in support of National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), June 27, to provide free HIV testing, PrEP referrals, linkages to care, and general information. In recent years, rapid syphilis and hepatitis C (HCV) testing has also been offered in many locations.
The annual activation has grown to be the nation’s most recognizable NHTD event.
The 2025 Greater Than / Walgreens NHTD activation was the largest in the program’s history with 385 testing partners holding events in 542 Walgreens stores in 46 states plus DC and Puerto Rico on June 27. With an emphasis on reaching communities most affected, 96% of Ending the HIV Epidemic priority jurisdictions were represented this year.
More than 22,000 one-on-one interactions in stores were reported by community partners, including:
- 6,100+ rapid HIV tests and 750+ HIV self-tests
- 2,100+ PrEP referrals and linkages to HIV/STD care
- 1,800+ rapid syphilis tests and 500+ syphilis self-tests
- 1,400+ rapid hepatitis C tests
Tens of thousands of printed informational materials on HIV and STD prevention and treatment were also handed out.
This 15th year of partnership brings the total of rapid tests provided to communities to over 104,000, with many more people receiving important information and connecting with local testing partners.
A Leading Public-Private Partnership
The Greater Than / Walgreens NHTD activation – the largest in the nation – demonstrates the power of public-private partnership, pairing Walgreens’ reach as a trusted health care destination with local providers, including many health departments, to bring essential health services directly into communities.
Testing partners consistently report that participation brings lasting benefits beyond NHTD, from deepening community engagement on the importance of testing to increasing awareness of new HIV prevention and treatment options, making testing a routine part of health care, and elevating their organizations’ visibility.
The success of the Greater Than / Walgreens NHTD activation reflects the support of a broad coalition.
State health departments play a central role by recruiting community testing partners, ensuring protocols for linkage to care and PrEP navigation, supplying test kits, and directing efforts to priority locations. They also help engage media, local leaders, and other supporters.
National leadership organizations, including the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), Big Cities Health Coalition, National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD), National Coalition for Sexual Health (NCSH), American Sexual Health Association (ASHA), NMAC, AIDS United, JSI’s Stop STDs, among others, amplified the activation through their networks. These groups were instrumental in recruiting new testing partners, raising visibility among the HIV/STD workforce, and anchoring the activation as the pre-eminent NHTD event.
Industry partners also contributed to ensure testing was widely available. Leading rapid test manufacturers—Diagnostics Direct, NOWDiagnostics, OraSure Technologies, Chembio Diagnostics, and bioLytical Laboratories donated more than 22,000 rapid HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis tests. Donated tests not used on NHTD remain with partners to support ongoing testing throughout the year.
Thank you to all who have helped make this the nation’s largest and most recognizable NHTD event.
