LEE COUNTY—A day dedicated to empowering women and girls to develop healthy lifestyles and enjoy a free lunch while attending the Women in Action Conference is planned for Friday, March 20, 2015 at the Dr. Carrie Robinson Center in Fort Myers. The Florida Department of Health in Lee County welcomes all women and girls to the conference.

“Women can prevent this disease by taking charge of and controlling their sexual health,” said Sindia De La Cruz, minority AIDS coordinator. “Most new HIV infections in women are from heterosexual contact and less than half of those diagnosed have the disease under control.”

This prevention program is designed to educate women about HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and risks, connect women with HIV/AIDS resources and offer tools to enable women to educate other women.

DOH-Lee is co-hosting the event with the Community AIDS Network and McGregor Clinic in observance of the 10th anniversary of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The day is set aside to offer support, hope, reduce stigmas, share information and empower women and girls to learn about the importance of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment. The conference will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2990 Edison Avenue in Fort Myers.

The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.