Sept. 15, 2016

Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County Celebrates National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day                                            

Contact:

Jennifer S. Sexton

Jennifer.Sexton@flhealth.gov

941-624-7279

Port Charlotte, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County will be providing free screenings for HIV, Hepatitis C, and free blood pressure screenings at the Department of Health on Loveland Boulevard in recognition of National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day, which is celebrated on September 18 each year. While HIV/AIDS are diseases usually associated with young people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about half of all people with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. are ages 50 and older. 

“People aged 50 and older have many of the same HIV risk factors as younger people, but may be less aware of their risk,” said Dr. Frank Lepore, Administrator for the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County.

National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day focuses on the challenging issues facing the aging population with regards to HIV prevention, testing, care, and treatment.  There is an increased need for prevention, research and data targeting the aging population, medical understanding of the aging process and its impact on HIV/AIDS.

This campaign targets:

• People living with HIV/AIDS who are aging with the disease or already over 50 at the time of their initial diagnosis,
• Increasing the use of protection from HIV infection, especially among the baby boomer population, and
• The increasing number of grandparents becoming the primary guardians for children who have lost their parent(s) to HIV/AIDS.

Aging with HIV infection also presents special challenges for preventing other diseases because older people with HIV may have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, thin bones, and certain cancers. Older HIV patients and their care providers should maximize prevention efforts against these conditions and remain vigilant for early signs of illness. They also should be careful about interactions between the medications used to treat HIV and those used to treat common age-related conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and obesity.

Free health screenings for HIV, Hepatitis C and blood pressure screening will be offered on Monday, September 19, 2016 from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County located at 1100 Loveland Boulevard in Port Charlotte.  For additional information, please call Cheryl Adams at 941-624-7200 extension 7265.

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.

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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