As of April 2010 in Area 4, which includes Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Nassau and Baker counties, in Florida, 118,810 individuals had been diagnosed with AIDS. The Duval County Health Department reports another 45,807 have HIV. With the nation's second-highest number of HIV cases, the state conducts several specialized awareness days, such as one geared toward Latinos, throughout the year. Florida expanded World AIDS Day into World AIDS Week. Similar events are organized during this week each year. Jacksonville, the Duval County seat, hosts at least one event per day in 2010.
Education
Local colleges and Avondale United Methodist Church in Jacksonville host health fairs on Dec. 2 and Dec. 4, 2010, respectively.
Max Wilson, prevention coordinator for the Area 4 AIDS Program and Education Subcommittee co-chair, said the goal of education days is to raise awareness among the college students and spread the message: "Take control, get tested."
"Its a communitywide event, so we're not focused on any group except for young people," Wilson said. "HIV (diagnosis) is pretty much level right now, unfortunately. We're seeing some increases among the 30- and 40-year-olds."
Health
The University of Florida Center for HIV/AIDS Research, Education and Service sponsors events on Nov. 30, 2010. The center is a comprehensive health care provider with screening, basic medical care, case management, education, mental health counseling, pharmacist and drug assistance, social services and nutrition, and dietetic evaluation and counseling.
"We believe we have to treat the whole body," said Mobeen H. Rathore, a physician and UF CARES director. "We're all fighting this together."
Addressing all the needs of patients is critical for ultimate success, he added.
The specialists encourage patients to take advantage of all the services provided at the center, take medication regularly, keep a positive attitude, and stay physically active.
"Physical activity gives you better overall health ... better heart and better body," Rathore said.
Rathore said the Center has been involved with World AIDS Week for several years with the goal of raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and available services.
Support
Avondale United Methodist Church is the host of the C.O.N.N.E.C.T.I.O.N.S. Conference on Dec. 4, 2010. Wilson said the conference is a daylong event for individuals with HIV or AIDS and their families. The event provides information about care, support, drug assistance and other important services. Most importantly, Wilson said, individuals can network and connect with others facing the same situations.
"The newly infected -- two years or less -- are especially encouraged to attend," Wilson said.
Social
The Women & Children Celebration, a social event for those who are HIV positive or have AIDS, is Nov. 30, 2010, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Shands-LRC Building.
Lutheran Social Services in Jacksonville hosts the Teddy Bear Touchdown from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 30. Heather Vaughan, program director for LSS AIDS Care and Education, said the event is for children affected by HIV/AIDS. Each child receives a teddy bear and has the opportunity to meet other children facing similar struggles. "The Night Before Christmas" will be performed, you can get pictures made with Santa, and bicycles, scooters and other items will be raffled. According to Vaughan, parents enter through the back and pick out presents their kids would like and take them home.
"The big push is we don't want any child to go without a Christmas," said Vaughan.
Memorials
The National AIDS Quilt Opening Display begins with a ceremony from noon to 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2010, at Jacksonville City Hall. Organizers need volunteers dressed in plain white shirts or all white for the unfolding ceremony.
Also on Dec. 1, Avondale United Methodist Church will host a memorial service from 6:30 to 9 p.m. While acknowledging the rate of deaths has decreased, Vaughan said the memorial service is a favorite event of hers, "A lot of us, as providers, lose people. This is an opportunity for us to say the names on our hearts and minds one last time."
References
- Duvall County Health Department: AIDS Surveillance Report; April 2010
- Max Wilson; prevention coordinator for the Area 4 AIDS Program; Jacksonville, Florida
- Mitch Marcus; early intervention consultant; Jacksonville, Florida
- Heather Vaughan, program director; Lutheran Social Services AIDS Care and Education; Jacksonville, Florida
- University of Florida Center for HIV/AIDS Research, Education and Service (UF CARES): Patients
- Mobeen H. Rathore, director; UF CARES; professor and associate chair, Department of Pediatrics; chief, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology; chief, Division of General Academic Pediatrics; and medical director, Early Steps Program; Jacksonville, Florida
