HIV/AIDS Minority Network/Black Advisory

The Broward County Health Department, the HIV/AIDS Minority Network/Black Advisory Group and community partners will present “Sistas Organizing to Survive (SOS)Black Women’s Conference” on Thursday, May 6, 2010 from 8:30am to 3:30pm at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Broward Center is located at 201 SW 5th Avenue – Fort Lauderdale, 33312. The conference is free and open to the public.

The conference is designed to educate women about the impact of HIV/AIDS and develop an action plan that prevents the further spread of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDS) among Black women in Broward County. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss this issue with doctors, community providers and other health professionals who are experts in the treatment of and education about HIV/AIDS, STDs, human sexuality, and the provision of mental health services.

“All women are encouraged to attend this conference,” said Dr. Paula Thaqi, M.D., Director of the Broward County Health Department. “We want to educate and empower all women to take charge of their sexual health, connect them to resources and offer tools that will assist in educating others in the community.”

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed HIV infection was the 5th leading cause of death among all women aged 35–44 years and the 6th leading cause of death among all women aged 25–34 years. The only diseases causing more deaths of women were cancer and heart disease. The report also showed that of 126,964 women living with HIV/AIDS in the United States, 64% were Black, 19% were White, and 15% were Hispanic. In Florida, 1 in 68 non-Hispanic Black women are known to be living with HIV/AIDS. This compares with approximately 1 in 1,281 non-Hispanic White women, and 1 in 472 Hispanic women. For over 15 years, HIV/AIDS has been the leading cause of death among Black women aged 25-44 years in Florida. *

For more information and to register please contact Sheila Reimer at (954) 467-4700 ext 5706 or email: Sheila_Reimer@doh.state.fl.us. For more information on services and programs at the Broward County Health Department, visit our website at www.Browardchd.org.

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