April 24, 2009

Illinois Program to Raise Awareness of Statewide HIV Services

The Illinois Public Health Association and the St. Clair County Health Department have created a new outreach initiative to reduce the spread of HIV in Southwestern Illinois and increase awareness about the various statewide services available to HIV-positive people, the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Through Illinois HIV Care Connect, eligible HIV-positive patients will receive health care and confidential medical case management. According to the article, they may also qualify for other support services, such as mental health care, outpatient medical care, oral health care, substance abuse treatment and medical nutritional therapy.

The initiative also hopes to educate health care providers and corrections officials about the state’s HIV services so they can direct patients and prisoners to them.

Almost one quarter of people living with HIV in Illinois are unaware of their status, according to the state health department, which funds the initiative through federal Ryan White grants.

Search: Illinois, HIV Care Connect, St. Clair County Health Department

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