Skip Global navigation and goto content

It's a New Day in Public Health.

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

Skip MegaMenu and goto content

UPCOMING EVENT IN OBSERVANCE OF NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY

By FDOH-Escambia

February 06, 2023

Pensacola, Fla. – In observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia), in partnership with Forest Creek Apartments and Health and Hope Clinic, is participating in a community-based NBHAAD event to increase awareness of HIV prevention and offer free HIV rapid testing to those ages 13 and up.

On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, FDOH-Escambia will be providing free rapid HIV testing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the residents of Forest Creek Apartments in Pensacola. Rapid in-home HIV test kits will also be available. Health and Hope Clinic will be providing COVID vaccinations, blood pressure, and blood glucose screenings starting at 12:30 p.m.

NBHAAD is an annual observance that encourages people to get an HIV test. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of their routine health care. People at higher risk should get tested more often.

Escambia County reported 42 new HIV cases in 2021, and Blacks made up a disproportionate 60% of those cases.  However, the four-year trend from 2017 – 2021 shows a 27% decrease in the number of new cases among Blacks in Escambia County.  Ways to stop the spread of HIV include testing, partners sharing results with each other, reducing the number of sex partners, not sharing needles, and refrain from mixing sex with alcohol or drug use.  Using PrEP, a medication that can prevent one from acquiring HIV, is also recommended. FDOH-Escambia’s focused outreach, testing, and education efforts aim to encourage everyone to get tested and know their HIV status.

For more information about HIV/AIDS resources, contact the FDOH-Escambia HIV/AIDS Program at 850-595-6500 x1500 or visit EscambiaHealth.com

###

About the Florida Department of Health

The Florida Department of Health, 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.

Newsroom

Statewide Articles

JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to display articles

Local Articles