Press Releases

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson Partners with Walgreens to
Provide Free Health Screenings and HIV Testing on World AIDS Day

MIAMI – Hundreds of people across Miami-Dade and Broward counties lined up to get free, confidential HIV/AIDS tests on World AIDS Day, a global health day observed annually on December 1. The multi-site testing event was hosted by Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson, in partnership with Walgreens and several local health clinics.

“I am grateful to everyone who came out to get tested,” said Congresswoman Wilson. “I have long said that the best way to stop the spread of this epidemic is to get tested and receive treatment if you are positive. I thank Walgreens and our community partners for helping to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.”

Testing was available at four Walgreens locations in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, Frederica Wilson and Juanita Mann Health Center, Borinquen Health Care Center, and New Horizons Community Mental Health Center. The testing was done in rapid testing mobile units provided by Miami-Dade and Broward County Florida Department of Health, Care Resource, Empower U, and Jessie Trice Community Health Center. Walgreens provided giveaways to individuals who were tested.

Congresswoman Wilson is a committed advocate of HIV/AIDS prevention. She sponsored several bills to boost HIV/AIDS education and awareness throughout her career in public service. This year marks the 14^th anniversary of a bill she sponsored in the Florida legislature to mandate HIV testing for prisoners upon their release from Florida prisons. The purpose of the bill was to confirm prisoners’ HIV status as they re-enter society and connect them to care if they were HIV positive.

“The CDC reports that African-Americans are the largest ethnic group of new HIV cases, and Miami-Dade and Broward counties are numbers 1 and 2 in the country for new cases. The changing face of HIV/AIDS has brought about a change in public response. We have to raise awareness and keep working to end HIV. The cost in human capital and lost talent is too high,” said Congresswoman Wilson.