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State Begins Pilot Program To Combat Rising Levels Of HIV

Mary Meehan

In an effort to combat an ever-rising rate of HIV, the state is launching a pilot program in Northern Kentucky.  

 The collaboration announced today (yesterday/Wednesday) is aimed at preventing new infections in Kentucky, where the rate of infections has double since 2014.  The state Department of Public Health and the University of Kentucky have joined to create an effort focused on education, prevention and treatment.

 Public Health Commissioner Dr. Jeff Howard says across the commonwealth there are a growing number of HIV infections linked to intravenous drug use. Eventually, he says, other pilot programs will be funded in parts of the state where the risk of infection is especially high.

 Out of the 50 counties identified by the CDC as high risk for the disease, eight counties are in eastern Kentucky.

There were 352 people diagnosed with HIV across Kentucky in 2018. Forty six were diagnosed in northern Kentucky.

 

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