According to the Florida Department of Health, the state continues to report some of the country’s highest rates of new infections, with Pinellas County servings as a major center of new cases.  Of these new cases, the African-American community is particularly affected.

“Here in Florida, 1 in 7 African American individuals will contract HIV,” explained Keayea Allen, prevention and outreach coordinator for EPIC (Empath Partners in Care), a member of Empath Health. “Having the opportunity to educate on prevention and treatment can really help reduce the fear, stigma and miseducation around this disease.

Read her Q&A in The Weekly Challenger.