The Palm Beach County Community Services Department Ryan White Program and Palm Beach County HIV CARE Council are pleased to announce the third annual Communitywide Health & Wellness Festival which will be held on Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Loading Ramp located at 524 SW Avenue "C" Place, Belle Glade. The festival is free and open to the public and will feature HIV and hepatitis testing, health screenings and linkage to services, insurance enrollment opportunity, prizes, and more.

More than 8,500 Palm Beach County residents are living with HIV, and one new infection occurs almost every day. In all communities, lack of awareness of HIV status, stigma and discrimination contribute to the risk of acquiring the virus. 

Last year, more than 350 individuals participated in the festival. The event is a significant resource platform to increase awareness and educate the public on HIV, AIDS, and the prevention of other sexually transmitted infections, as well as provide linkage to social services programs and information on behavioral health and substance use disorders.

"This festival focuses on engaging our diverse population and assists them with access and linkage to care services," said Palm Beach County HIV CARE Council Chair Chris Dowden. "We continue our efforts to reduce HIV-related health disparities and assure adequate treatment and support services are accessible to the most vulnerable populations."

The Palm Beach County HIV CARE Council's vision is to create a community where individuals with HIV/AIDS can live without prejudice, abandonment or social stigma and are provided with a comprehensive range of medical and support services that assure their wellness, independence and self-sufficiency.

To register, go to https://healthandwellnessfestivalpbc.eventbrite.com. For more information about the festival or the council, contact Neeta Mahani at nmahani@pbcgov.org.

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