Increasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability, and Partnerships 

Naples, FL. — Every 9½ minutes, someone becomes infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with the HIV infection, and at least 12.8% of these individuals are unaware that they are HIV-positive. Due to these alarming statistics, the Florida Department of Health is encouraging everyone to know their status and take a FREE HIV test for World AIDS Day.

World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1.  It’s a day to support those who are living with HIV, remember those who have died, and unite in the fight against HIV.

Florida ranks 2nd in the nation in the number of newly diagnosed cases of HIV infection. HIV/AIDS has also had an impact in Collier County where we have witnessed the infections of over 1,710 of our residents.1,614 of those residents are between the ages of 13 and 64. This is why the CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 14 and 64 take an HIV test at least once a year as part of their annual health care checkup.

In recognition of World AIDS Day 2017, the Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) is collaborating with community partners to offer free screenings from November 27 to December 1. All sites will be offering free rapid HIV testing with same day results.

For more information about these events, please contact:

DOH-Collier Naples Campus: 3339 East Tamiami Trail, Building H; Call (239) 252-8593

Marion E. Fether Medical Center: 1454 Madison Ave, Immokalee; Call (239) 658-3000

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