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Want to learn more about HIV? Our HIV 101 video (opens in a new window) is meant to help spark conversations and to share basic knowledge about HIV prevention and treatment.

Do you know your HIV status? Use our HIV Self-Test Kit Form (opens in a new window) to order a free at-home test kit shipped directly to you.

Are you living with HIV and need help? Our patient care programs are here for you! Learn more:

• Housing assistance through HOPWA 
• Medication assistance through ADAP  
• Medical care through Ryan White Part B

You can even apply for assistance online (opens in a new window)!

Do you want to prevent HIV? Get PrEP’d!

HIV is a life-threatening virus that damages the body's immune system and leaves a person vulnerable to opportunistic infections. Because there is no cure, reducing the transmission of HIV while minimizing its effect on those living with it is critical.

Florida has adopted a comprehensive strategic approach to prevent HIV transmission and strengthen patient care activities.

Florida’s Plan to Eliminate HIV Transmission and Reduce HIV-Related Deaths

Four Key Components

1. Implement routine HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening in health care settings and priority testing in non-health care settings
2. Provide rapid access to treatment and ensure retention in care (Test and Treat)
3. Improve and promote access to antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP)
4. Increase HIV awareness and community response through outreach, engagement, and messaging

Read on to learn more about each component and related resources.

1. Implement Routine Testing

Everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should have an HIV test in their lifetime. Those with ongoing risks should be tested more frequently, as should pregnant women, who should be tested in their first and third trimester.

Talk with your health care provider or locate a testing site near you (opens in a new window).

Do you provide HIV testing? Learn about consent requirements, model protocols and more in our Counseling & Testing Resources.

2. Provide Rapid Access to Treatment and Ensure Retention in Care

People living with HIV who take antiretroviral medication as prescribed and achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partners.

In January 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services updated its HIV Treatment Guidelines to recommend that antiretroviral therapy be initiated as soon as possible, regardless of CD4 T-cell count or HIV viral load. Florida implemented this guidance through its Test & Treat program.

The Test & Treat program helps newly diagnosed people or those returning to care by providing:

• Immediate linkage to a clinician who can provide:
  • Access to antiretroviral medications
  • Medical assessments
  • Education on HIV and HIV management
    
• Linkage to case management to help with accessing community resources 

For ongoing HIV care, our Patient Care and Treatment Access Program can provide help:

• Housing assistance through HOPWA 
• Medication assistance through ADAP  
• Medical care through Ryan White Part B

You can even apply for assistance online (opens in a new window).

You can also learn more about HIV medical and support services in your area by contacting the Florida AIDS Hotline.

• In English: 1-800-FLA-AIDS or 1-800-352-2437
• En Espanol: 1-800-545-SIDA
• In Creole: 1-800-AIDS-101

3. Improve Access to PrEP and nPEP

PrEP and PEP are both part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy. PrEP is a preventative tool for people at risk of acquiring HIV. PEP is a stopgap measure for people who have had a potential HIV exposure. Both involve using antiretroviral medications to reduce the risk of HIV transmission to HIV-negative individuals.

Learn more on our PrEP and PEP page.

4. Increase HIV Awareness and Community Response

Knowledge and understanding of HIV, prevention strategies, and available resources to live healthy are critical to reducing HIV in Florida.

The Florida Department of Health offers numerous HIV prevention strategies to benefit the health of Florida’s communities. 

Florida has two AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETCs), which provide comprehensive resources for health care providers in the treatment and prevention of HIV:

• North Florida AETC with the University of Florida Health (opens in a new window)
• South Florida AETC with the University of Miami Medical School (opens in a new window)