Miami, Fla. — Today, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez and the Florida Department of Health held a roundtable discussion and press conference with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the first phase of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. CDC’s initiative seeks to reduce new HIV transmission by 75 percent in five years and 90 percent in 10 years.

“HIV is not a partisan issue, but a very problematic health concern that affects our communities greatly,” said Lieutenant Governor Nuñez. “With assistance from our federal partners at CDC, we are confident that the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative will reduce HIV transmission in our state. I am grateful to see this collaboration and I know that working together, we can conquer the HIV epidemic here in Florida and elsewhere. We must collectively continue to promote advocacy, research and progress to pave the way for a healthier Florida.”

“Today’s meeting with Florida leadership and community stakeholders was a step in the right direction toward ending the HIV epidemic,” said CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield. “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Today, we have the right data, the right tools and the right leadership. Together, we can end the HIV epidemic in Florida and across America.”

“The Department of Health is grateful to Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez for her continued work on such an important issue to the health and safety of Floridians,” said Dr. Pat Ryder, Florida Department of Health Bureau Chief of Communicable Diseases. “We will continue to work with Lt. Governor Nuñez and our partners at CDC to implement the first phase of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative to reduce the rate of HIV transmission in Florida.”

Photo Credit: Governor’s Press Office

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