**Please see below this release for a list of Palm Beach County Events**

Palm Beach County, Fla. — Each year on December 1, people around the globe observe World AIDS Day. The day provides an opportunity to show solidarity for those affected by HIV and memorialize those who have lost their lives to the disease. This year's national World AIDS Day theme is "Ending the HIV Epidemic: Resilience and Impact.” Governor DeSantis issued a proclamation in recognition of World AIDS Day, and communities across the state are coming together in support of persons with HIV and to remember those we've lost.

"World AIDS Day provides a unique opportunity to remember the people we've lost over the past four decades and bring attention to our collective response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. "We need to continue our efforts in research, education and treatment to finally end this devastating disease”

"In public health, we're often looking forward. We talk about preventing new HIV transmission, we talk about long-term care for people living with HIV, we talk about ending the HIV epidemic,” said Dr. Scott Rivkees, Florida Surgeon General. "And that is all vitally important. But it's also so important that we set time aside for looking backward, for remembering. On World AIDS Day, we honor those who have lost their lives to HIV. In their memory, and for those living with HIV, we push on.”

In 2019, there were approximately 134,900 people living with HIV in Florida, 116,689 of whom were diagnosed. HIV was the ninth leading cause of death, having claimed 644 lives. Our state experiences a high burden of the HIV epidemic, and the Department is committed to connecting people to the resources they need to be able to live long, healthy lives, regardless of HIV status.

In February 2019, President Trump announced his administration's goal to end the HIV epidemic in the United States by 2030.The resulting initiative, called "Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America,” is already well under way. The goal of the initiative is to reduce new HIV infections by 75 percent in the next five years and by 90 percent by 2030.

Ending HIV in Florida requires the collective effort of all Floridians and knowing your HIV status is the first step. Your HIV status determines the prevention or care options that are right for you. Florida is a national leader in HIV testing, and there are many ways to get tested. Visit KnowYourHIVStatus.com to order a free at-home test kit or to learn about testing providers in your area. Be sure to call providers in advance to learn about their COVID-19 safety procedures.

It is crucial that people diagnosed with HIV begin treatment as soon as possible. Immediate treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART) typically leads to long, healthy lives for people with HIV. It's also a method of HIV prevention. ART reduces the amount of HIV in the body, which makes it harder to transmit to others.

There are more tools available than ever to prevent HIV. A health care provider can help you determine appropriate next steps, which might include taking PrEP and using condoms to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV. Prevention may also take the form of regular testing.

We can both prevent and treat HIV. For more information, call 1-800-FLA-AIDS, or 1-800-3522437l; en Espanol, 1-800-545-SIDA; in Creole, 1-800-AIDS-101. To learn where to get tested, visit KnowYourHIVStatus.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.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

2020 World AIDS Week Palm Beach County: Schedule of Events

Tuesday-December 1st

Sponsoring Agency: FoundCare, Inc.

Date/Time: 12/1/20, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Event Location: FoundCare Boynton Beach, 1901 S. Congress Avenue, Suite 100, Boynton Beach, FL 33426

Features: Rapid HIV and Hepatitis C Testing

For More Info: Rosaline Jocurin at 561-472-2466 ex 103

Sponsoring Agency: FoundCare, Inc.

Date/Time: 12/1/20, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Event Location: FoundCare Belle Glade, 1500 NW Avenue L, Belle Glade, FL 33430

Features: Rapid HIV and Hepatitis C Testing

For More Info: Rosaline Jocurin at 561-472-2466 ex 103

Sponsoring Agency: FoundCare, Inc.

Date/Time: 12/1/20, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm

Event Location: FoundCare West Palm Beach, 2330 S. Congress Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33406

Features: Rapid HIV and Hepatitis C Testing

For More Info: Rosaline Jocurin at 561-472-2466 ex 103

Sponsoring Agency: Caridad Center

Date/Time: 12/1/20, 8:30 am – 2:00 pm

Event Location: 8645 W. Boynton Beach Boulevard, Boynton Beach, FL 33472

Features: Education Table (STD& HIV), FREE HIV Testing, Condom Distribution

For More Info: Aydeivis Jean Pierre at 561-737-6336 ex 117 or 561-729-4870

Sponsoring Agency: Midway Specialty Care Center

Date/Time: 12/1/20, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Event Location: 1515 N. Flagler Drive, Suite 200, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Features: FREE walk-in HIV Rapid Testing for the entire month of December

For More Info: Vince Hodge at 561-249-2279 or 561-633-3398

Sponsoring Agency: Treatment Outreach Program, Inc.

Date/Time: 12/1/20, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Event Location: 100 E. Linton Boulevard, Suite 504B, Delray Beach, FL 33483

Features: Swab, Grab and Go, FREE HIV Testing, Educational Information, Grab a Lunch

For More Info: Nicole Rossiter at 561-265-5306

Sponsoring Agency: TOPWA Families First

Date/Time: 12/1/20, 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Event Location: LSF/PEPPI Head Start, 301 SW 8th Street, Belle Glade, FL 33430

Features: FREE HIV Testing, FREE Pregnancy Testing, FREE Program Enrollment (if applicable), Prizes,

Giveaways, Raffles and Much More!!

For More Info: Ashaki Sypher, MSW at 561-721-2887 or 561-319-4394

Sponsoring Agency: Compass Community Center

Date/Time: 12/1/20, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Event Location: Facebook Live on www.Facebook.com/CompassCenter

Features: World AIDS Day Opening Ceremony- Candlelight Vigil and Reading of Names

For More Info: Dylan Brooks at 561-533-9699 ex 4004

Wednesday-December 2nd

Sponsoring Agency: FoundCare, Inc.

Date/Time: 12/2/20, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Event Location: Walgreens #16338, 4560 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33417

Features: Rapid HIV and Hepatitis C Testing

For More Info: Rosaline Jocurin at 561-472-2466 ex 103

Thursday-December 3rd

Sponsoring Agency: Compass Community Center

Date/Time: 12/3/20, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Event Location: Live on Zoom- more information on www.facebook.com/CompassCenter

Features: 5B Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion

For More Info: Dylan Brooks at 561-533-9699 ex 4004

Saturday-December 5th

Sponsoring Agency: Triple H Ministries and AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Date/Time: 12/5/20, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Event Location: Fogleman Park, 4800 Pinewood Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407

Features: HIV/AIDS & STD Screenings, Health & Educational Materials, Incentives, Music and Food

For More Info: Caroline Hill at 561-766-1769 or 561-255-7711

Monday-December 7th

Sponsoring Agency: FoundCare, Inc.

Date/Time: 12/7/20, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Event Location: Walgreens #3455, 2501 Broadway Avenue, Riviera Beach, FL 33404

Features: Rapid HIV and Hepatitis C Testing

For More Info: Rosaline Jocurin at 561-472-2466 ex 103

Wednesday-December 9th

Sponsoring Agency: FoundCare, Inc.

Date/Time: 12/9/20, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Event Location: Walgreens #7265, 9921 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33411

Features: Rapid HIV and Hepatitis C Testing

For More Info: Rosaline Jocurin at 561-472-2466 ex 103

Sponsoring Agency: Compass Community Center

Date/Time: 12/9/20, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Event Location: Live on Zoom- more information on www.facebook.com/CompassCenter

Features: PrEP Panel Discussion featuring Consumers, Providers and Manufacturers

For More Info: Dylan Brooks at 561-533-9699 ex 4004

Thursday-December 10th

Sponsoring Agency: FoundCare, Inc.

Date/Time: 12/10/20, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Event Location: Palm Springs Proclamation, 226 Cypress Lane, Palm Springs, FL 33461

Features: Acceptance of Proclamation

For More Info: Rosaline Jocurin at 561-472-2466 ex 103

Wednesday-December 23rd

Sponsoring Agency: FoundCare, Inc.

Date/Time: 12/23/20, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Event Location: Walgreens #4176, 399 N. Congress Avenue, Boynton Beach, FL 33426

Features: Education, Giveaways, Rapid HIV and Hepatitis C Testing

For More Info: Rosaline Jocurin at 561-472-2466 ex 103