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For Release 28th
November, 2001
Contact:
Bill Parizek 850-245-4111
TALLAHASSEE Since 1988, December 1st has marked the global world calendar as World AIDS Day. Each year, a theme is selected by UNAIDS (the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS). The theme UNAIDS selected this year is "I Care...Do You? Youth & AIDS in the 21st Century."
Different events are happening across the state to mark the day, including candlelight vigils, community education sessions in the parks and seminars in other community settings. In Tallahassee, Florida A&M University (FAMU) and the Leon County Health Department will be hosting various World AIDS Day-related events from Tuesday, November 27 through Friday, November 30.
On November 30, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and FAMU will be holding a joint press conference on the FAMU campus. DOH Secretary John O. Agwunobi, M.D., M.B.A., will be speaking, along with Tom Liberti, Bureau Chief of the department’s Bureau of HIV/AIDS, and others.
Agwunobi will be discussing the Department of Health’s efforts to address racial disparities in health outcomes through community-based, culturally-sensitive approaches. These efforts include working with minority, community-based organizations to implement culturally-sensitive HIV prevention and treatment programs; facilitating efforts of black clergy and their congregations to mobilize risk-reduction education and supportive attitudes from within the community; and continuing to work with legislative and other community leaders to assure enhanced resources in areas of greatest unmet need.
Liberti will be announcing the award of a number of new programs targeted toward minority populations. These awards are in response to the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS among minority populations. Blacks and Hispanics represent only 14% and 17% of Florida’s population; however, they represent 47% and 15% respectively of the cumulative number (84,416) of statewide AIDS cases reported through September 2001, as well as 58% and 15% respectively of the cumulative number (22,594) of reported HIV cases. Florida remains # 3 in the nation for cumulative adult AIDS cases and # 2 for pediatric cases.
The awarded contracts, in response to the recommendations from the legislatively appointed Minority HIV/AIDS Task Force and in accordance with the 2001-2003 State of Florida HIV/AIDS Prevention Plan, and local Ryan White Consortia Plans, are as follows:
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8 Minority AIDS Initiative awards, geared towards increasing access to AIDS drugs and related services for racial/ethnic minorities, totaling $890,950;
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6 Prevention Intervention awards, totaling $283,997;
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4 Enhanced Jail Screening projects which provide HIV testing and follow-up services to inmates, totaling $200,000;
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3 Prevention for HIV Infected Persons (PHIP) programs, totaling $150,000 in 2001 and $300,000 for 2002;
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2 Building Organizational Proficiency Projects (BOPP), which funds grassroots agencies, which have previously delivered HIV prevention on a voluntary basis, totaling $ 100,000; and
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3 existing Targeted Outreach for Pregnant Women Act (TOPWA) programs, which reach pregnant women at risk for HIV, were expanded in South Florida by $140,000.
It is our hope that these additional programs will help Florida in meeting its long-term goals of reducing new infections and increasing the number of Floridians who know their HIV status, said Liberti.
Attached
are some of the events happening in various counties across the state. If you would like information about events happening in your county, please call your local county health department or visit the department’s web site at www.doh.state.fl.us and choose AIDS/HIV from the drop down box.
See
Events List
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