On National HIV Testing Day, June 27, health officials in southwest Florida will focus testing and awareness efforts on minority populations, the Naples Daily News reports (naplesnews.com, 6/21). In 2006, Florida had the third-highest AIDS prevalence rate for African Americans and the fourth-highest rate for Hispanics in the United States.
According to the article, southwest Florida—which includes Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota counties—recorded more than 6,460 new HIV cases in 2007 alone.
Health officials told the Naples Daily News that they’ve had difficulty generating HIV/AIDS awareness among black and Hispanic males, many of whom avoid testing due to cultural taboo and widespread stigma.
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"I'm HIV positive and diabetic (as well as have high cholesterol) and some of my meds specify taking them with 'high fat foods' which I have to do twice a day. I've eaten as healthy as possible, but when it comes to high fat foods, I am in a quandary...about what to eat sometimes..."
