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Illinois HIV Care Connect, a
statewide network providing HIV support services, will expand its social media
involvement to increase awareness of its offerings. The network, a program of
the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA), provides free case management
services and health services to people with HIV/AIDS. “This effort is all about
extending HIV prevention and treatment across Illinois,” said Tom Hughes, IPHA
executive director. “By preventing HIV and helping those living with HIV find
early and ongoing treatment, we can improve health outcomes and reduce medical
costs.”
The network launched an
English-language Web site in 2009 and introduced a Spanish-language Web site
earlier this year. Now, Illinois HIV Care Connect is adding English-language
Twitter feed, Facebook pages, and Google+ pages. Illinois has approximately 36,000
HIV-infected residents. According to CDC, approximately 20 percent of new US
infections comprise Hispanics, while the largest number of new infections
comprises people between ages 20–34. Because social media is popular with young
people, Illinois HIV Care Connect is focused on reaching out to these two
target groups. Additionally, the network soon will launch both English and
Spanish mobile versions of its Web site.
The Illinois HIV Care Connect Web
site receives more than 800 monthly hits, making it a valuable source of
information for HIV-infected people and their healthcare providers. The program
also manages and provides information about the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance
Program, Continuation of Health Insurance Coverage program, and other services.
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!
