Officials also announced Tuesday that pharmacies would be now authorized to sell HIV home test kits, which should begin in the first half of 2016.
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Smith is one of 1,000 people in the Southern Tier who’s been infected with the HIV virus. But many others, still don’t know they have it. That’s why testing is so important.
The governor pledged to end the AIDS epidemic in the state by 2020.
These action items aimed to improve widespread HIV testing and linkage to care, improve broad support and attain universal viral suppression for people living with HIV as well as reduce discrimination against people living with the disease, the statement said.
City Councilman Corey Johnson (D-Manhattan), who is HIV positive, at the event said the city’s new funding aligns with Cuomo’s blueprint to fight the virus.
“People still believe that HIV and AIDS is the same thing”. According to the CDC, Blacks and Latinos continue to experience the most severe burden of HIV in America, accounting for 44 and 21 percent of new cases of infection respectively.
Doctors at the centre said that it was one of the three nodal centres in the State, apart from Chennai and Salem, where second line therapy for HIV positive patients, who have developed resistance to first line treatment, was available. The remaining 11% involve HIV transmission through injection drug use. Resources include the distribution of free condoms, the #PlaySure media campaign to encourage safe sex practices and access to treatments such as the pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis drugs known as PrEP and PEP.
People living with HIV in 2015 are healthier than ever.
It observed that some low – and middle-income countries have made remarkable progress towards universal access to HIV services: 12 countries have ensured that 60 per cent or more of all people living with HIV are aware of their infection and receiving antiretroviral therapy.
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The Saint Joseph Health Department along with community partners P.E.A.C.E., State Street Bank and Trust of Kansas City and Zion United Church of Christ celebrated World AIDS Day by offering free services to the community.
