Private MD News

Nonprofits battle rising HIV rates

Category: HIV

In an effort to combat the rising rates of sexually transmitted disease, nonprofit groups across the country are working to secure more funding that will enable them to expand HIV testing programs.

Health experts, including those at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have said that making HIV testing more available to a wider range of individuals could be one of the most effective ways to combat rising rates of infection.

Several HIV/AIDS prevention groups in Florida were recently awarded more than $9 million in grants from government sources in order to help them continue their programs aimed at stemming new infections, according to the Sun Sentinel.

"It's easy to say everybody knows how to prevent HIV through safe sex. But it's not true," said Stephen Fallon, executive director of Latinos Salud in Wilton Manors, which won a grant, according to the news source. "There is still a lot of stigma and misinformation about AIDS."

He added that the grants would help fund education programs that he believes will help dispel some of these myths surrounding the diseases. The funding will also support HIV testing programs.