FT. LAUDERDALE (August 26, 2013) – As Broward County residents face a drastic rise in the numbers of new syphilis cases county-wide, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is helping to reduce rates of STD and HIV infections through the new Broward Wellness Center. The state-of-the-art facility will host a grand opening ceremony on Monday, August 26 at 10:00 AM, where Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D, FL) and AHF President Michael Weinstein will officially cut the ribbon on the new center. Services will be available at the clinic beginning September 3.
Congressman Hastings has been a leader in fighting HIV disease. The representative introduced and shepherded a budget reallocation bill through Congress that radically increased access to government-funded HIV/AIDS treatment and care through AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAP). The ‘Hastings Amendment’ redistributed $42 million to relieve the struggling states provisions – at the time of its passage, 3,276 people were on a waiting list to receive lifesaving ADAP care.
“AHF is so proud and pleased to partner with the Broward County Health Department in this pioneering private/public partnership to control sexually transmitted disease in the county,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AHF. “We have an opportunity to show the entire country the best practice in promoting and maintaining sexual health.”
The path to this vital health resource for Broward County began when the Florida Department of Health entrusted AHF with STD testing and treatment beginning April 1 of this year. The decision was based on the success of AHF’s testing and treatment model, which has been implemented in South Florida for over a decade.
Though the new health facility will provide opportunities to combat an array of sexually transmitted infections, one of the most pressing needs for Broward County is to control the spread of syphilis. Since 2000, the numbers of syphilis infections in Broward alone has increased by 400 percent, and since 2005 the county’s syphilis incidence has been double that of Florida’s as a whole. Nineteen million people are infected with STDs annually in America.
“Whether one is speaking of syphilis or HIV, sexual health is a key component to any public health system,” said Michael Kahane, Southern Bureau Chief for AHF. “South Florida is both an epicenter for syphilis and new HIV infections. AHF is very proud to partner with the Department of Health to help improve public health in Broward County.”
Beginning September 3, the Broward Wellness Center will provide free testing and treatment for HIV, syphilis, Chlamydia, and gonorrhea under the medical supervision of Physician’s Assistant Shane Woodall. Hours of operation are Mondays and Fridays from 10 am to 7 pm, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 12 pm to 9 pm. Walk-ins are welcome.
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