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November 26, 2008
THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RECOGNIZES DECEMBER 1 AS WORLD AIDS DAY
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Health (DOH) joins with federal, state and community partners in recognizing December 1 as World AIDS Day. Each year, World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for individuals, communities, states and the nation to consider what they can do to help stop the epidemic, support those affected by this disease and remember those lost to the disease. HIV/AIDS is a national and global epidemic, and Florida continues to be heavily impacted.
For the second year, the international community has chosen “Keep the Promise: Leadership” as the theme for World AIDS Day 2008. Experience has shown that strong and committed leadership has achieved significant advances in reducing HIV and AIDS cases.
The DOH Bureau of HIV/AIDS continues to work diligently to reduce the number of new HIV infections, increase the proportion of HIV-infected people in Florida who know they are infected, and ensure that persons living with HIV and AIDS have access to prevention, care and support services.
“We will once again renew our commitment to reduce the toll HIV is taking on these heavily impacted communities,” said State Surgeon General Ana Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H. “We need to do a better job in reducing new infections.”
The Bureau of HIV/AIDS is committed to reducing the disproportionate impact HIV continues to have on racial/ethnic minorities and men who have sex with men. In 2006, 5,550 Floridians became infected with HIV. Of these new infections, 48 percent were among blacks and 58 percent were among men who have sex with men. Approximately 125,000 Floridians are infected with HIV, and 20 percent do not know they are infected.
Beginning in January 2009, DOH will fund 25 non-profit agencies for a total of $4.7 million to implement prevention, testing and education projects to fight HIV. These projects will target racial/ethnic minorities and men who have sex with men throughout the state. In addition, DOH urges all Floridians to educate themselves, know their HIV status, support those in their community battling the virus, and talk about HIV/AIDS where they live, work, play and worship.
DOH promotes, protects and improves the health of all people in Florida. For more information about HIV/AIDS, visit www.FloridaAids.org or www.WeMakeTheChange.com or contact the Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline at 1-800-FLA-AIDS.
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