DOH-Duval holds events for World AIDS Day
Monday, November 26, 2018
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Posted by: DCMS
Contact:
Alison A. Hewitt
CHD16MediaRequests@flhealth.gov
904-252-5217
Jacksonville, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH-Duval) unites with people and communities worldwide as we observe World AIDS Day by showing support for people living with HIV and honoring those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. World AIDS Day is December 1st, but Duval County has dedicated the entire week to activities to increase awareness.
“It is a very important time for our community to adopt new strategies in HIV prevention, strengthen existing partnerships and create new ones as we continue to work to end this global epidemic.”, said Erin Hess, Interim Administrator for the Florida Department of Health in Duval County.“
Over 1.1 million people in the US are living with HIV, and 1 in 7 of them don’t know it. The department remains fully committed to fighting the spread of HIV in Florida and helping connect individuals who are positive with lifesaving treatment and services.
Florida is a national leader in HIV testing. DOH and our partners throughout Florida have made great strides in prevention, identifying infections early and getting people into treatment, however there is still much work to be done. The department is focusing on four key strategies to make an even greater impact on reducing HIV rates in Florida and getting to zero, including:
· Routine screening for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and implementation of CDC testing guidelines;
· Increased testing among high-risk populations and providing immediate access to treatment as well as re-engaging HIV positive persons into the care system, with the ultimate goal of getting HIV positive persons to an undetectable viral load;
· The use of PrEP and nPEP as prevention strategies to reduce the risk of contracting HIV; and
· Increased community outreach and awareness about HIV, high-risk behaviors, the importance of knowing one’s status and if positive, quickly accessing and staying in treatment.
With early diagnosis, individuals can begin appropriate treatment and care resulting in better health outcomes. Studies have shown that providing antiretroviral therapy as early as possible after diagnosis improves a patient’s health, reduces transmission and can eventually lead to undetectable viral loads of HIV. This model has been successfully implemented in Florida and there are currently 35 Test and Treat sites operating statewide.
As part of our strategic efforts to eliminate HIV in Florida, the Department of Health is currently working to make Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication available at no cost at all of the 67 county health departments within the next year. PrEP is a once-daily pill that can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV in HIV-negative individuals. PrEP should be used in conjunction with other prevention methods like condoms to reduce the risk of infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), taking PrEP daily reduces the risk of getting HIV by more than 90 percent.
DOH-Duval offers PrEP at our Comprehensive Care Center on 515 West 6th Street in Jacksonville, Florida 32206. PrEP will be made available through the DOH-Duval STD and Family Planning Clinics and patients can be provided with up to a 90-day supply of medications. Some CHDs may offer PrEP through specialty clinics. Visit floridahealth.gov to locate the CHD in your county.
Every CHD also offers high-quality HIV testing services. Testing can be completed at your local county health department or you can locate HIV counseling, testing and referral sites by visiting www.KnowYourHIVStatus.com or texting your zip code to 477493.
Events scheduled in Duval County in observance of World AIDS Day are as follows:
Monday, November 26
Event Name: AIDS Memorial Quilt Ceremony
Location: Jacksonville City Hall, 117 W. Duval St.
Time: 12 noon
Contact: Justin Bell, (904) 556-2312
Additional Info. - The Quilt will be on display from Nov. 19th thru December 3rd.
Tuesday, November 27
Event Name: Condom Blitz
Location: Various
Time: 10:00am-2:00pm
Contact: Angel Kalafatis-Russell, (904) 386-8779
Wednesday, November 28
Event Name: World AIDS Day College Outreach
Location: UNF and FSCJ (multiple campuses)
Time: 10:00am-2:00pm
Contact: Angel Kalafatis-Russell, (904) 386-8779
Thursday, November 29
Event Name: World AIDS Day College Outreach
Location: Jacksonville University
Time: 10:00am-2:00pm
Contact: Angel Kalafatis-Russell, (904) 386-8779
Event Name: Poetry Slam/Spoken Word
Location: Mary’s Pub House
901 King St. Jacksonville, FL 32204
Time: 6:30pm-9:00pm
Contact: Angel Kalafatis-Russell, (904) 386-8779
Friday, November 30
Event Name: Awards Luncheon
Location: Omni Hotel
Time: 11:30am
Contact: Sherda Pierre, (904) 356-1612 Ext. 120
Additional Info: Cost $45 per ticket if purchased before November 9, 2017 and $50 per ticket if purchased after November 9, 2017.
Event Name: Ultimate Runway Fashion Show
Location: 700 E. Union Street
Time: 7:00pm
Tickets: tinyurl.com/ultimaterunwayfashionshow
Contact: Yolanda Kellam-Carter
Saturday, December 1
Memorial Walk @ 5:30pm
Event Name: Memorial Service
Location: West Union Missionary Baptist Church
Time: 6:00pm
Contact: Justin Bell, (904) 556-2312
Additional Info: A Service of Remembrance & Hope
About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
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