AIDS Conference Set for Florida

As the current economic crisis places additional pressures on an already burdened HIV community, over 3,000 activists will converge in September to discuss the future of the movement and the unique challenges facing those on the front lines of the epidemic at the U.S. Conference on AIDS.

The theme of this year’s USCA, to be held in Orlando, Fla., is “Many Voices, One Voice” to highlight the immense economic, geographic and ethnic diversity of Central Florida, whose minority communities mirror those hardest hit by the epidemic.

Many of this year's programs will also focus on youth audiences, according to event organizers, since the need to address the impact of HIV on young people — particularly within communities of color — has never been greater. Approximately 13% of people diagnosed each year are between the ages of 13 and 24.

The conference will be September 12–15 at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. Senior White House staff officials as well as the cofounder of BET are scheduled to speak.