Media contact:

Wendi Jackson
386-281-6423

Chd64pio@flhealth.gov 

Daytona Beach – Not only is February the month where we celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans in U.S. history, but February also contains a special day or observance, meant to increase HIV education, testing, treatment and involvement among Black communities nationwide. Feb. 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day for community mobilization efforts designed to emphasize the disproportionate impact that HIV/AIDS continues to have among African Americans and encourage individuals to seek counseling and get tested for the virus.

According to the 2020 Census, African Americans accounted for less than 13 percent of people living in the United States. However according to HIV.gov, 42 percent of all new HIV diagnoses are among African Americans. Among women, 57 percent of new HIV diagnoses are African American. In Florida, one in 53 African Americans are living with HIV. There are nearly 800 documented diagnoses of African Americans living in Volusia and Flagler Counties. Last year, there were 60 new diagnoses of African Americans in Volusia and Flagler Counties.

Statistically however, African Americans with HIV are still less likely than others to be retained in HIV care. Regular HIV care includes antiretroviral therapy (ART), which decreases HIV in the body. This decrease, called viral suppression, leads to better health outcomes. African American Floridians with HIV are also less likely to achieve viral suppression and therefore miss out on important health and prevention benefits. To end the HIV epidemic in our state, we need to address factors that contribute to these disparities and have candid conversations about HIV and its links to racism, discrimination, stigma, lack of health insurance, poverty, homelessness, unemployment, substance use disorders and mental health.

Florida remains a national leader in HIV testing, with over 1,400 registered HIV test sites (including county health departments and community-based organizations) which provide high-quality, confidential testing services at low or no cost.

All Volusia and Flagler County Health Department clinics provide free HIV testing upon request. On Feb. 7, stop in anytime from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and get tested at no cost. We have locations throughout Volusia/Flagler:

• 1845 Holsonback Drive, Daytona Beach;
• (Southside Health Zone) 421 S. Keech St., Daytona Beach;
• 775 Harley Strickland Blvd., Orange City;
• 717 W. Canal St., New Smyrna Beach;
• 301 Dr. Carter Blvd., Bunnell.

Testing is also offered at these community partner locations:

• Rising Against All Odds-Free Rapid HIV Testing, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 340 S. Woodland Blvd., Deland. For more information, call (386) 202-4209.
• Outreach Community Care Network- Free Rapid HIV Testing, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 240 N Frederick Ave. Daytona Beach. For more information, call (386) 255-5569.
• Live Love Life, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1702 Ridgewood Ave. Suite J, Holly Hill. For more information, call (386) 674-0062.

Knowing your HIV status protects you and your community. Visit KnowYourHIVStatus.com to learn more. You can also call the Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline at 1-800-FLA-AIDS, 1-800-545-SIDA (en Español) or 1-800-AIDS-101 (in Creole) for more information.

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.   

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