Report Identifies New HIV Cases in Central Florida; County Official Discusses Findings

An annual report by the Health Council of East Central Florida released on Wednesday found that nearly 800 new cases of HIV were reported in Central Florida in 2008 and blacks and Hispanics remain disproportionately affected, the Orlando Sentinel reports. The report was presented to the Ryan White Planning Council, according to the Sentinel. The report said that there are now more than 4,000 people living with HIV in the area, and another 4,400 living with AIDS. In addition, a majority of the new cases of HIV were among blacks and Hispanics, according to the report (Maza, 7/29). In an interview with the Sentinel, Debbie Tucci, the Orange County Health Department's HIV/AIDS program coordinator, discussed the findings. She said, "HIV/AIDS is not in the forefront the way it used to be. We've been talking about this for a long time, and people just don't think it's going to happen to them." She added, "The disease doesn't care what your race or ethnicity is. Now we target minorities more, and what's happened is that they're getting tested more. Prevention strategies are absolutely working. There's always room for improvement, but we've come a long way -- especially among minorities" (Maza, 7/30).

Back to other news for July 2009