Response to HIV amongst black community in Florida

A local organisation in Florida is trying to help cut the high rate of HIV among black people in St Lucie County.

Project Response is using a mobile HIV testing centre to go into schools, jails and substance abuse centres to offer free HIV tests.

According to the department of health, Florida has the second highest number of HIV/Aids cases in the US and one in 35 black residents in St Lucie County has Aids.

Jackie Gomez, the office manager for Project Response, said: "People are more afraid to walk into a clinic to get tested, that is why the mobile testing is in place to provide that confidential service."

Project Response uses an Oraquick Rapid HIV test, which is done with a prick to the finger to get a sample of blood, and it takes 20 minutes to find out the results.

The programme is funded from government grants and donors. It works as a resource for people in the community who need information to stop the spread of HIV.

Figures from the Black Coalition on Aids estimate that the HIV/Aids infection rate amongst black men in the US is six times that of white men and the rate for black women is 16 times that of white women.