Health Departments Offer Free Testing on World Aids Day

December 1 is World AIDS Day, a time to remember those who we have lost to this pandemic, and this year marks the 26^thanniversary of World AIDS Day. The theme this year is “Shared Responsibility: Strengthening Results for an AIDS-Free Generation.”  The slogan for World AIDS Day underscores the importance of awareness of the disease and the global commitment needed to achieve this goal.

“Millions of people continue to be infected with HIV every year. All adults and adolescents should have a routine HIV test to make sure they know their status,” said Debbie Tucci, HIV/AIDS Program Manager at the Department of Health in Orange County.

The following events, which will include free testing, will be taking place in Orange and Seminole Counties to increase awareness and education:

Monday, December 1, 2014                                                              Tuesday, December 2, 2014

World AIDS Day Commemoration                                                      Free HIV Testing

Free HIV Testing, HIV Quilts, and Entertainment                               Walgreens

Lake Eola Bandshell                                                                           408 E Michigan St, Orlando, FL

195 N. Rosalind Avenue, Orlando                                                      10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

6:00-8:00 p.m., Testing begins at 4:00 p.m.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Free HIV Testing

Department of Health in Seminole County

400 West Airport Boulevard

Sanford, FL

8:00 – 11:30 a.m. & 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Florida has been heavily impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The state continues to rank third in the nation in the cumulative number of AIDS cases (126,581 in 2012) and second in the nation in the cumulative number of HIV cases (49,058 in 2012). Orange County ranks third in the state for HIV and AIDS cases. In Central Florida’s Area 7 region, (Orange, Osceola, Brevard, and Seminole counties) there are 12,281 persons living with HIV in this Central Florida region and 5,978 cases living with AIDS.

For more information on HIV/AIDS, visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/aids/index.html