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Tallahassee, Fla. — Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez yesterday presented a proclamation by Governor Ron DeSantis recognizing Oct. 15, 2019 as National Latino AIDS Awareness Day in Florida. She was joined at the event by Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott A. Rivkees, county health officers and representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The event took place at the Florida Department of Health in Leon County and was followed by a discussion regarding the importance of prevention and their shared efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in Florida.

“The Florida Department of Health and its partners are committed to reversing this trend and ensuring that race and ethnicity are no longer a predictive factor for someone’s overall health and well-being,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez.

Latino communities are significantly affected by HIV in Florida. In 2018, 34% of the 4,906 persons newly diagnosed with HIV in Florida were Latino (compared to 25% who were white and 39% who were black).

The Department has embraced the national campaign to end the HIV epidemic by 2030, which aligns with Florida’s plan to eliminate HIV transmission and reduce HIV-related deaths. The seven Florida counties listed in the first phase of the national plan have considerable Latino populations.

“The Department has taken significant steps toward ending the HIV epidemic,” said Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees. “I’m proud to say we hope to eliminate HIV in Florida through strategic partnerships and a renewed focus on testing, treatment, prevention and outreach. Together, we will save lives and stop HIV from impacting so many Floridians of Hispanic descent.”

The Department is partnering with community-based organizations and community leaders statewide to demonstrate a commitment to reducing HIV transmission in Florida’s Latino communities. For more information or for a list of events/activities in your area, contact your local County Health Department or visit KnowYourHIVStatus.com.

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.

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