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GET TESTED ON WORLD AIDS DAY

By Kent Donahue

November 22, 2021

Contact:
Kent Donahue
Kent.Donahue@flhealth.gov

407-858-1418

Orlando, FL – The Florida Department of Health in Orange County joins with people and communities worldwide as we observe World AIDS Day on December 1, 2021. This year’s global theme is “End Inequalities, End AIDS, End Pandemics.”

There have been great strides made in prevention, identifying infections early and getting people into treatment, however, there is still much work to be done. The Department focuses its efforts on routine screening for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), increased testing, access to treatment, outreach and awareness, and re-engaging HIV positive persons into the care system with the goal of getting HIV positive persons to an undetectable viral load.  In addition, the Department utilizes prevention strategies such as condoms and the use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (nPEP) to reduce the risk of contracting HIV.

The Department encourages individuals who are sexually active to get tested in order to know their status. Early diagnosis is key because individuals can begin appropriate treatment and care, which results in better health outcomes. The Area 7 HIV program of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County is now offering free at-home HIV testing kits to Central Florida.  Residents of Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Brevard counties can request a kit by visiting the Talk Test Treat Central Florida website at https://talktestcfl.com/. The self-administered kit will be mailed to individuals at no cost and comes with step-by-step instructions, the oral testing swab, and test tube. The test is confidential and follow up by Area 7 HIV staff is optional.

For HIV testing and services, please call the Florida Department of Health in Orange County at 407-858-1437.  For further information on the PrEP services offered by the Department, call the STD Clinic at 407-723-4170 or find PrEP locations in Central Florida by visiting: https://preplocator.org/

Local World AIDS Day events:

November 30, 2021

World AIDS Day “Together Again”

The Amphitheater at Lake Eola

512 E. Washington St., Orlando 32801

6pm-8pm

Host: Central Florida HIV Planning Council

 

December 1, 2021

World AIDS Day at Woodhill Apartments

7200 Woodhill Park Drive, Orlando 32818

3pm-6pm

Hosts: Talk Test Treat and Orlando Chapter of Sistas Organizing to Survive

 

December 1, 2021

World AIDS Day at Woodhill Apartments

7200 Woodhill Park Drive, Orlando 32818

3pm-6pm

Hosts: Talk Test Treat and Orlando Chapter of Sistas Organizing to Survive

 

December 1, 2021

World AIDS Day Virtual Remembrance

Facebook Live

6pm-7pm

Hosts: Central Florida HIV Planning Council, Maven Leadership Collective, QLatinx

 

December 3, 2021

World AIDS Day at HOLA Supermarket

5789 Curry Ford Rd. Orlando 32822  

11am-3pm

Hosts: Talk Test Treat, Central Florida HIV Latinx Taskforce, iHeart Radio

For more information, call the Florida AIDS Hotline at 1-800-FLA-AIDS or 1-800-352-2437; En Espanol, 1-800-545-SIDA; In Creole, 1-800-AIDS-101.

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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