Group aims to reduce the spread of HIV locally

The Gainesville Iguana

The High Impact Prevention (HIP) project by WellFlorida Council aims to decrease the spread of HIV and link HIV-infected individuals to prevention and care services in Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Lake, Marion and Putnam counties. The program is currently offering free HIV testing, condoms and educational materials at local events and participating businesses. 

Everyone’s Doing It promotes condom use and HIV testing throughout the six counties. Testing is confidential, and teens do not need parental consent to be tested for HIV. Locate HIV testing sites and events at EveryoneStopAIDSNow.org. WellFlorida provides free HIV testing Monday through Friday by appointment only. WellFlorida is located at 1785 NW 80th Blvd., Gainesville. Call 352-313-6500 ext. 134 for more information. 

It’s Everyone’s Business is a partnership between WellFlorida and local businesses that are interested in sharing HIV prevention messages and materials with their customers, employees and other neighborhood businesses. Some of these businesses provide free condoms and serve as HIV-testing sites. Visit www.wellflorida.org for a complete list of businesses. 

ARTAS (Anti-Retroviral Treatment and Access to Services) is the third component of the WellFlorida project. ARTAS links HIV-positive individuals – those who have recently been diagnosed with HIV or who have HIV but have not received medical care in the last six months – to the care and resources they need. For more information, visit ARTAS at EveryoneStwopAIDSNow.org or call 352-313-6500 ext. 134. 

WellFlorida Council Inc., located in Gainesville, Fla., is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization created in 1969. WellFlorida is the state designated local health council for North Central Florida and specializes in consultancy for health causes. Visit www. wellflorida.org for information.