Business Wire - October 15, 2007

WHO: Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen to take HIV test to mark National Latino AIDS Awareness Day

Panel Members:

-- Alberto Santana: Office of HIV/AIDS/TB, Miami-Dade County Health Department

-- Manuel Laureano-Vega M.S.,M.D.: Founder and Executive Director of Liga Contra Sida

-- Maria G. Rodriguez, MD, PhD, CAPP: Founder and Executive Director of Latin American Coalition for the Prevention of Addictions (CLAPA).

-- Doralba Munoz: Executive Director of Union Positiva

-- Dr. Gary Puckrein, PhD: President and CEO, National Minority Quality Forum

WHAT: Test for Life will launch a new coalition in Florida, called Test for Life Florida, as part of its national HIV testing campaign. Test for Life aims to educate the public about the need to increase early detection and early treatment of HIV through routine screening. This event will discuss the importance of CDC's recommendations on routine HIV screening, encourage local communities to expand testing and address stigma issues.

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) marks an opportunity to increase awareness of the devastating and disproportionate effects of AIDS in the Hispanic community. While Hispanics only make up about 14 percent of the U.S. population, they account for 19 percent of the AIDS cases in the U.S. since the start of the epidemic. In 2004, Hispanics accounted for 20 percent of the new AIDS cases in the U.S.

In Florida, Hispanics make up 18 percent of the adult population and account for 18% percent of HIV cases in the state. In 2005, Hispanics accounted for 28 percent of HIV cases in men and 15 percent of those in women. The rate of infection is dramatically higher for Hispanic women who where more than three times as likely as white women to be reported with HIV in 2005.

WHEN: Monday, October 15, 2007

11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

WHERE: Biltmore Hotel, Majorca Room

1200 Anastasia Avenue

Coral Gables, FL

- Note to editors: This media alert is available in Spanish.

Please contact us for availability.

About Test for Life:

Test for Life is a national coalition made up of health and medical professionals, HIV/AIDS and minority advocacy groups, and other community leaders united with the goal of educating the public on the importance of HIV testing. Test for Life is a campaign led by the National Minority Quality Forum (www.testforlife.org). The Test for Life campaign kicked off in September 2006 with the release of the CDC recommendations calling for HIV testing to be included as part of routine medical care.

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Contacts:

Gordon Reyes & Company

Tia Diaz-Balart, 305-606-7428

tia@gordonreyes.com

or

Meliza Duranona, 305-381-8831

Meliza@gordonreyes.com

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