FreshMinistries will use African HIV interventions in Jacksonville neighborhoods

Youth members of the Jacksonville non profit group FreshMinistries will be educating their peers about HIV and AIDS, using the same methods that they have previously practiced in high-risk African communities, according to a recent article published in the Florida Times-Union.

The 32 high school students will engage their classmates in discussions about the prevalence of HIV and prevention strategies. Group leaders told the newspaper they hope that young people will learn more from kids their own age than they would from traditional teacher-pupil education.

"We're trying to create a healthy community, and we know a community that is plagued with HIV is not a healthy community," FreshMinistries' Director of Domestic Operations Michelle Hughes said to the news source.

According to the report, the number of HIV cases among Jacksonville's surrounding counties has increased since 2008.

Likewise, new HIV infections are on the rise nationwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1.1 million Americans are living with the virus, and an estimated 21 percent of these individuals do not know that they are infected.

Online testing services may provide early detection of HIV for individuals who want to reduce their risk of developing AIDS.