- Event offers free HIV testing and other health services in honor of World AIDS Day -

(BLACK PR WIRE) – December 1st is globally recognized as annual World AIDS Day, and the Jessie Trice Community Health Center (JTCHC) will host a health fair in support of this observance. The event takes place on Saturday, December 7th from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Olinda Park, located at 2101 NW 51st St., Miami, FL 33142. The event’s presenting sponsor is JTCHC. Additional sponsorship is made by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, GILEAD Advance Therapeutics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, and E Hollywood Productions Unlimited.

The HIV/AIDS crisis has especially impacted south Florida’s minority communities. According to the Florida Department of Health, a reported 98,530 persons were living with an HIV diagnosis in 2012. Blacks accounted for 49 percent and Hispanics 20 percent of those cases.

“Here at Jessie Trice, we think it is important to address World AIDS Day every year by making HIV testing accessible to our community through health fairs and other outreach efforts,” said Roselaine Christie, JTCHC Patient Care Coordinator. “In addition, it is paramount to educate our families and friends in an effort to increase HIV/AIDS awareness. We want everyone to tell their neighbors and friends about this event.”

The health fair is free of charge, and features refreshments, children’s face painting, and entertainment by Scotty Boi. In addition, there will be numerous free health services, including HIV testing, blood pressure screening, diabetic services and Affordable Care Act enrollment.

The Jessie Trice Community Health Center, Inc. is a Florida 501 (c) 3, not-for-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center, which has been serving Miami-Dade County since 1967. Its mission is to provide comprehensive primary health care services by increasing access and improving the quality of life of our diverse South Florida community. A community mainstay, JTCHC owns and operates sixteen (16) facilities, including eight (8) Comprehensive Primary Care centers, twenty-five (25) school-based/university centers, and other medical facilities. JTCHC’s multicultural, multilingual, and multidisciplinary staff services a diverse population of 30,000 patients who make more than 130,000 visits annually.

NOTE: Media interested in learning more about the event, or about the Jessie Trice Community Health Center should contact Bernadette Morris at (305) 948-8063, ext. 201.