Sanford, Florida - Altamonte Springs (FL) Chapter of the Links, Inc. is pleased to invite the community to the Divalicious Health Womens Health Conference and Championship Health Men's Wellness Conference on Saturday, March 9, 2019 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Crooms Academy of Information Technology located at 2200 Historic Goldsboro Blvd., Sanford, Florida. The conferences will offer free registration, free breakfast and lunch, and free health services including education on heart disease, reproductive health, prostate health, HIV/AIDS, stigma awareness, and PrEP. There will also be an array of gifts and prizes, including a $500 shopping spree for one lucky female and a 60-inch flat screen TV for the winning gentleman. Preregistration is required at www.surveymonkey.com/r/divahealth and www.surveymonkey.com/r/champhealth.

In Seminole County the number of HIV/AIDS cases is disproportionately higher among African Americans. In 2017, African Americans represented 11% of Seminole County's population yet comprised 30% of newly diagnosed HIV cases, 53% of newly diagnosed AIDS cases and 36% of persons living with HIV. "The members of the Altamonte Springs (FL) Chapter of The Links, Inc. were deeply troubled by these statistics. In partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Omega Beta Beta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Community Consciousness Always in Action and the Central Florida Medical Society, we are launching a campaign to educate the community about the high incidences of HIV/AIDS among African Americans in Seminole County and the new, improved methods of prevention," said Janice Hanley, President of the Altamonte Springs Chapter of The Links, Inc.

"We are pleased to partner with the Altamonte Springs Chapter of The Links, Inc. to reach the community and provide support for this campaign with important health information. We are glad to collaborate and use our resources to continue the HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness efforts in Seminole County," said Donna Walsh, health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County.

This community awareness campaign was the brainchild of Dr. Janet Travis, a local dentist and President-Elect of the Altamonte Springs Chapter of The Links, Inc. for 2019-2020. Dr. Travis secured funding from the Gilead Sciences Foundation to bring it to fruition. "Our chapter has been addressing the needs of Seminole County for more than 30 years. Consistent with our national platform, we focus on Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health & Human Services. Yet, we are most commonly known for our partnership with Colgate to operate a mobile dental office where we provide dental health screenings for school students throughout central Florida."

The Links, Incorporated, founded in 1946, is one of the oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. Lajuana Miller, Chair of the Health & Human Services Facet for the Altamonte Springs Chapter, adds, "We are delighted by the support this campaign has received from our partners. We certainly couldn't have done this without them. And, it's not too late for individuals, organizations, or companies that want to help us fight HIV/AIDS in Seminole County. Just call 407-765-0109 or send a message to info@altamontespringslinksinc.org. We would welcome your support."

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.

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