1st december 2008.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) -- Today is World AIDS Day, a time to remember those who lost their lives to the epidemic. It also marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. The Orange County Health Department along with other community partners and AIDS activists will commemorate World AIDS Day with vocal performances by individuals and choirs, dance troupes and a candlelight vigil/HIV Awareness Walk at Lake Eola Park at 195 Rosalind Avenue, Orlando Monday, December 1st, 2008, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Free HIV rapid testing will also be available from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A photo opportunity will take place at Lake Eola at 11 a.m. as volunteers unfold several panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt which represents all those who have died of the AIDS disease.

PHOTO GALLERY: World AIDS Day

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that approximately 1 million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS with an estimated 25% unaware of their diagnosis. Cumulatively through 2006, 37,184 HIV (not AIDS) cases have been reported in Florida, which includes 397 pediatric HIV (not AIDS) cases.

As with the national estimates, Floridas HIV infection rates per 100,000 population demonstrate significant disparities. In Florida, the rate of new infections per 100,000 population in 2006 among African Americans (123.7) was more than six times the rate among whites (18.8) and nearly four times the rate among Hispanics (32.0). Although African Americans comprise 14% of Floridas population, they accounted for 48% of new HIV infections in 2006. In Orange County, 6,777 individuals are living with AIDS and 3,175 with HIV.

World AIDS Day is the day when individuals and organizations from around the world come together to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic. For more information, contact the Orange County Health Department at 407-858-1400, extensions 1141 or 1127.

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