ADVISORY/American Lung Association of South Florida Hosts ``When HIV and TB Collide'' Seminar; Event Marks World Tuberculosis Day.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

ADVISORY...for Monday (March 18)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

LOCATION:         Kovens Conference Center
                  Florida International University's North Campus
                  3000 N.E. 151st Street
                  North Miami, Florida

DATE:             Monday, March 18, 2002

TIME:             11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

FEE:              Advance registration: $10.00; Students: $5.00;
                  On-site registration: $15.00
                  Lunch included in admission price

REGISTER:         Contact Summer Martins at [e-mail]
                  or 202/833-5900, ext. 222
                  or go to http://www.globalhealth.org

The American Lung Association of South Florida (ALASF) today announced a forum named "When HIV and TB Collide." The March 18 event marks the beginning of a series of events culminating in World TB Day on March 24. Topics at the forum include the impact of TB in South Florida and globally, the effect of HIV on the spread of TB, and the role of existing strategic partnerships focused on combating TB/HIV co-infection in South Florida and worldwide.

Featured speakers at the event include:

-- David Ashkin, MD - Medical Executive Director, A.G. Holley Hospital,
Lantana, FL

-- Maria C. Freire, PhD - CEO, Global Alliance for TB Drug Development, New
York City, NY

-- Dr. Sean Kenniff, MD - CBS Channel 4 Medical Reporter

Co-sponsoring the forum with ALASF are Broward County Health Department, Economic Opportunity Family Health Center, Inc/C-BORN, Florida Department of Health Bureau of Tuberculosis and Refugee Health, Global Health Council (based in White River Junction, VT), Miami-Dade County Health Department, and Pan-American Health Organization (based in Washington, DC).

"ALASF is proud to play a role in helping people understand the impact that TB has in South Florida and on a global scale," said Lauri Stuart, Director of Lung Disease Programs at ALASF. "It is a particularly relevant issue in our region as Florida continues to remain among the top four states in the US in the number of reported cases of TB."

One-third of the world is infected with TB, including 15 million Americans. Globally, between two and three million people die every year of TB and it is the leading killer of people with HIV and AIDS.

Suggested attendees for the forum include community-based organizations, students, public health professionals, members of the faith community, and all others interested in local and global health issues.

About American Lung Association

Founded in 1904, the American Lung Association is the oldest not-for-profit health agency in America. The American Lung Association of South Florida serves five counties including Miami-Dade, Broward, Glades, Hendry and Monroe. Its mission is to prevent lung disease and promote lung health in South Florida through patient services, programs, public education and research. In addition to helping people with asthma, American Lung Association of South Florida strives to help those individuals suffering from lung cancer, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, TB, pneumonia, influenza, occupational lung problems, respiratory allergies, lung problems caused by air pollution and infant pulmonary disorders.