FROM STAFF REPORTS     

Last Saturday, the Volusia County Health Department participated in a "Sistas Organizing to Survive" conference to address the growing problem of HIV/AIDS among women and girls in the community. The outreach continues this month as the health department promotes National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on March 10.

On that day, free Rapid HIV testing will take place at five health clinics in Volusia and Flagler counties.

According to Dr. Anthony S. Fauci with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health, African-Americans continue to bear the largest and most disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDS of all racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

"While Black men and women made up 13 percent of the U.S. population in 2007, they accounted for more than half of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses that year and nearly half of all Americans living with HIV/AIDS," he stated.

Every 35 minutes, a woman tests positive for HIV in the United States.

Grim statistics for Black women

"For Black women ages 35 to 44, HIV was the third leading cause of death in 2006," Fauci noted.

Dr. Bonnie J. Sorensen, director of the Volusia County Health Department, brings it closer to home.

"One out of every 98 Black women in Volusia County are HIV positive so it is extremely important for Black women to be tested, learn their HIV status and to protect themselves," she noted in a statement to the Daytona Times this week.

The theme for National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is "Lead by Example, Get Tested.’’ The free testing will be available on March 10 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the following sites: Daytona Beach, 1845 Holsonback Drive; Deltona: 3151 Howland Blvd.; DeLand: 909 N. Stone St.; Bunnell: 301 S. Lemon St.; and New Smyrna Beach: 717 W. Canal St.

‘Out of Control’ discussion at church

In addition, the Church of Christ at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Volusia’s health department have scheduled two community discussions about HIV/AIDS as part of the National Week of Prayer for the healing of HIV/AIDS.

On March 9 at 7 p.m., there will be an Adult Awareness Night titled "Out of Control." The event is to help residents get educated about HIV.

On March 10, there will be an HIV Awareness Night for all youth 13 and older at 6 p.m. The evening will consist of the health department providing an overview of HIV/AIDS, who is being affected, a short film on HIV/AIDS, and will conclude with a question and answer session.

Both evenings will provide opportunities for questions and answers, as well as on site testing. Refreshments will be served.

For more information about the church events, contact Rico Brown at 386-253-0435 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Tabitha Robinson with the Florida Department of Health at 904-253-2983 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information about the testing at the clinics, call 386-274-0500 ext. 0629 or log on to www.volusiahealth.com.