The Lake County Health Department and The Aliveness Project will offer free HIV testing to Lake County residents Friday in Hammond.

The testing will be offered Friday as part of National HIV Testing Day, which has been a day of observance for the last 30 years.

The Lake County Mobile Clinic will be in the Walgreens Parking lot, 6905 Kennedy Ave., Hammond, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends anyone between the ages 13 to 64 be tested for HIV at least once. Those with certain risk factors should be tested more frequently, according to a press release from the Lake County Health Department.

Early detection and care are crucial for managing HIV, according to the release, and testing remains one of the most effective protocols to end the HIV epidemic.

“HIV testing is an act of self-love. It is a powerful expression of self-respect, compassion, and care, not only for oneself, but for our community. Knowing your HIV status is a key step in protecting your health and the health of others,” according to the release.