Local agencies to host World AIDS Day event Saturday in Fort Myers
“Rethink HIV, Play Your Part, Take a Stand.”
That is this year’s theme for World AIDS Day, recognized each year on Dec. 1 around the globe.
The Lee County Department of Health, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Lee County Human Services, Source of Light and Hope, Lee County Black History Society and The McGregor Clinic are doing their part by hosting a community event in observance of World AIDS Day at Roberto Clemente Park in Fort Myers Saturday, Dec. 1, from 2-6 p.m.
“We want to increase education and reduce stigma around HIV by encouraging people to think and talk about HIV in an open way,” said Amy Pinter, spokesperson and RN for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “We want to encourage people to get tested and know their status. HIV testing should be a routine part of medical care. We don’t want people living with HIV to be afraid, afraid to tell their friends or family. If we all stand up and stand together, then no one has to feel alone.”
Free HIV and other health screenings will be made available to the public free of charge, as well as provide a myriad of educational materials and community health resources.
AHF will be providing rapid HIV testing that provides results in one minute via a finger stick.
The Lee County Department of Health will be conducting sexually transmitted infection testing via a urine sample.
Premier Mobil Health Services will be providing blood pressure and blood glucose checks as well.
Family entertainment, such as food trucks, door prizes and a basketball shootout will be on site.
“World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and to address HIV/AIDS disparities and HIV related stigmas and blame, while sparking dialogue towards stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS among all populations,” said a FDOH press release. “The observance of World AIDS Day has become one of the most recognized health awareness days worldwide. It provides a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services. Started in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.”
Though the disease may not be as prevalent as it once was, it is still important to be educated on the virus.
“I don’t think it’s in the forefront of people’s minds like it once was. It’s no longer a death sentence and that is great, but that may also give people a false sense of security,” said Pinter. “It remains the eighth leading cause of the death in the U.S. overall. We are all at risk for HIV infection. It does not discriminate. With 1.8 million new infections in 2017 worldwide, it’s important that we all look at our behaviors and understand how much risk we are at and how we can reduce that risk. It’s free and easy to get tested. Once you know your status, you can quickly be linked into medical care if you do test positive and if you test negative, you can learn how to stay that way. Starting treatment as quickly as possible after diagnosis greatly improves health outcomes by reducing disease progression, which is why we try to link people into care immediately once they are diagnosed.”
Programs such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, established in 2003, have helped mitigate AIDS patients over time.
Since its inception, PEPFAR has saved 16 million lives, averted 2.4 million babies from acquiring HIV from their HIV positive mothers, put 14.6 million people living with HIV on treatment, last year alone supported HIV testing services for 95 million HIV tests; supported voluntary medical male circumcision for 18.9 million.
It is the largest single disease public health initiative in history.
Overall, there are 37 million people living with HIV world-wide.
There were 1.8 million new infections in 2017.
1.2 million in the U.S are living with HIV.
Nearly 117,000 people in Florida are living with HIV, and Florida ranks No. 3 in the country in HIV cases.
Lee County ranks No. 10 in the state with 2,318 people living with HIV.
Now, if you test positive for HIV, the outlook may not be a gloomy as it once was, according to officials.
“The medications have improved so much in the past several years. Most people living with HIV are now treated with one pill once a day with minimal side effects,” said Pinter. “A person with a suppressed HIV viral load is highly unlikely to transmit the virus to others. You can live a normal healthy life with HIV.”
Roberto Clemente Park is at 3265 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., in Fort Myers.
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