Latin X/e HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Brings Events and Education to Lake Worth
On October 3rd, the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners recognized October 15, 2023 as National LatinX HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Many members of the Palm Beach County HIV CARE Council were in attendance, including Kenny Talbot the president of the council.
HIV CARE Council members from partner agencies were also in attendance, not just to receive the proclamation but to show their commitment to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Lysette Perez, health programs officer at Compass Community Center and chair of the PBC HIV CARE Council Community Engagement Committee, explained exactly why she and members of the Compass community were present.
“There is, statistically speaking, a large population identifying as Latin X. Recognizing this day brings more awareness to a population that is historically high in infection. Education and ending stigma in this population is vital in Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE)."
Perez encourages those in the Lake Worth area to attend Puertas Abiertas, an event hosted by Compass that is meant to engage and educate attendees on the importance of testing, treatment and ending the epidemic.
Four years ago, Compass created the Puertas Abiertas event in order to create a different way of educating impacted communities about AIDS/HIV Prevention.
As a Cuban American, Perez has a particular affinity for the event and works to provide community-first elements. That's why anyone visiting the Lake Worth area between the hours of 2pm and 6pm can stop by Compass Community Center and get a haircut, eat at a food truck, listen to music, dance, receive educational information about medication and adherence to medical protocols for those living with HIV and receive a free health screening. The event is open to children and families.
Compass spent five years engaging in LatinX internal workgroups and participating in established events. Now they've taken their event to the next level. This is the first year where the party will be held both inside Compass and outside in the parking lot. PBC HIV Care Council members will staff booths and the Community Services Department of Palm Beach County will also be present at the event.
As for the educational aspect, Perez is passionate about ending the HIV epidemic. She talks about adherence, explaining that adherence refers to the saying U=U. U equals U translates to: Undetectable equals Untransmittable. Individuals living with HIV and who adhere to a medication schedule can successfully bring their viral load down to undetectable levels. When the viral load is undetectable, the disease cannot be transmitted. Taking medications like PrEP as scheduled will help lower the risk of HIV infection significantly.
Perez is very hopeful about the future. She says “We live in a time when zero new HIV infections are possible, especially when you consider adherence as prevention."
EVENT DETAILS: October 14, 2023; 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM; Compass LGBTQ+ Community Center, 201 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460
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