New City Plan Aimed at Reducing HIV/AIDS Infections by 25 Percent

A plan to cut new HIV infections in Baltimore by 25 percent by 2015 is being presented today to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Developed by the City Commission on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment, the plan aligns with the overall Baltimore Health Department and National HIV/AIDS strategies.

Priorities include expanding needle-exchange programs; promoting HIV testing at primary care doctors’ offices; aggressive efforts to diagnose people before they are sick; and increasing serostatus awareness, patients who are in care within three months of diagnosis, and those continuing their treatment. The goals emphasize increasing the proportion of HIV-infected gay and bisexual men, African Americans, and Hispanics whose virus is controlled - decreasing the likelihood of further transmission.

Targeted outreach will include tapping churches to reach at-risk populations, as well as contacting people at gay bars and sex clubs, schools, senior centers, and prisons.

“One of the main barriers has been a lack of a road map, a strategic plan to guide the city’s response and promote collaboration between the various city agencies, the state, community groups, and citizens who are impacted,” said Dr. William A. Blattner, the commission’s chair.

Lacking new funding, the commission will promote coordination of some $6 million to $7 million annually spent on outreach and education, and about $20 million for treatment. City Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot is expected to announce today a new assistant commissioner position that would be charged with overseeing the strategy, handling the budget, coordinating agencies, and program oversight.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!