These days, it’s rare when a press release from the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) doesn’t pertain to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, on Friday, June 25, the department was focused on another disease – HIV. Sunday, June 27 is “National HIV Testing Day,” and NCDHHS is using the occasion to remind everyone that there’s another disease out there to be tested for.
The focus on testing for HIV is part of the state’s “Plan to End the HIV Epidemic in North Carolina.” One part of that plan is getting people to get tested for HIV.
While not a pandemic, state officials consider the state to have an HIV epidemic. North Carolina comes in number 10 among all states when it comes to the rate of residents newly diagnosed with HIV.
As with many other diseases, minorities are at a greater risk.
“While there has been progress in the effective treatment of HIV, the impact of the disease is still disproportionate,” the June 25 press release states. “According to the preliminary North Carolina HIV Surveillance Report, 76% of people diagnosed with HIV in 2020 were people of color. Additionally, preliminary 2020 data show that while 66% of all people newly diagnosed in 2020 are receiving treatment and have an undetectable viral load, that rate drops to 57% for people of color.”
Health officials are focusing on overcoming “barriers to care” by doing things like helping people get transportation to tests and to treatment.
The state is also working to reduce the stigma that’s often associated with having HIV.
The plan was created by a committee formed two years ago that included the Department of Public Health’s Communicable Disease Branch, The North Carolina AIDS Action Network, treatment providers and other partners.
For more information about HIV in North Carolina and the state’s plan to End the HIV Epidemic in North Carolina, people can go to https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/stds/program.html.
Electronic and print copies of the End the HIV Epidemic Plan are available in English and Spanish.
Another created crisis. Who would have ever expected such a thing?
Crisis? How did you read that article and see ‘crisis’? It is actually to be celebrated that we are at a point where it is reasonable to have a plan to END the AIDs epidemic in our state. Don’t just look for the negative in everything from government or public services.
Another necessity for our social govt to run. They have too much money.
Think you need a test? Just go get one.
It took the committee TWO YEARS to come up with this plan? Just shows that all our tax money is wasted on administrative garbage and not on solving issues or the people who really need help.
It was a badly written sentence. Yes the committee was formed two years ago, and yes they made this recommendation. Those two facts aren’t directly related.
The Godless Republican party was formed 170 years ago and just now recommended that elections be secured. Those two facts are equally unrelated while still being completely true.
Fudd , show us the facts please , not just your one eyed view. Wink wink
Here we go another mindless liberal turd eating democrat sharing a liberal view
Rhinostimes is at a all time low
What do you expect when a shady businessman buys a newspaper? When an editor claims it is important to put your politics first in journalism? When your readers are about as horny as your mascot is for a new civil war?
At least they’re up front about it. It’s why I respect MSNBC more than CNN and the “old network” news channels. I might not like it, but I respect the honesty.
Another liberal democrat
Perhaps it is the readership.