(Photo by Ryan Holloway / Miami-Dade County)
Making history on Valentine’s Day, Miami-Dade County unveiled its first branded condom as part of the Getting 2 Zero Miami-Dade Awareness Campaign during a press conference in History Miami.
Zena Troutman who has been living with the HIV virus for more than 20 years opened the press conference with a moving testimony. Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez, County Commission Chairman Esteban L. Bovo, Jr., Commissioner Sally A. Heyman, Florida Senator Rene Garcia, and Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County Administrator/Health Officer Dr. Lillian Rivera stressed the importance of this campaign and the need for awareness in the community.
Miami-Dade County has the highest HIV infection rates in the U.S as of 2016. There are 26,975 people living with HIV/AIDS in the County, which is one in 85 adults.
County Commissioner Sally A. Heyman sponsored the resolution that created the county-wide awareness campaign which was unanimously approved by the Board of County Commissioners. With the collaboration of the Florida Department of Health, the goal is to get to zero new HIV/AIDS cases, zero AIDS related deaths, zero stigma, and zero discrimination.
The Miami-Dade branded condoms will be available throughout Miami-Dade County. In addition to the branded condoms, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County will lead the Getting to Zero efforts by continuing the free distribution of condoms.
For free HIV testing and to receive more information please join us during the following events for the month of February.
- Feb. 15 Health Fair at Curley’s House, from 10-3 p.m., 6025 NW 6th Court, Miami
- Feb. 15 Educational Table at MDC-Kendall Campos, from 11-2 p.m., 11011 SW 104th Street, Miami
- Feb. 15 Condom Day at FIU’s Green Library, 10:30-2 p.m., 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami
- Feb. 16 Health Fair at Government Center, 10-4 p.m., 111 NW 1st Street, Miami
- Feb. 16 HIV/STD Testing The Hub at LGBTQ, 10-2 p.m., 1130 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach
- Feb. 22 HIV/STD at Flamingo Park, 2-7 p.m., 1200 Meridian Avenue, Miami Beach
For more information, contact Erika Coello, from the Florida Department of Health Department in Miami-Dade County or Rene Diaz, Office of Community Advocacy Executive Director.
The Office of Community Advocacy (OoCA) is charged with making Miami-Dade County “One Community” that embraces our diverse enriched and unique population. Follow us on Twitter at @MDCAdvocacy and Getting2ZeroMIA.
