Private MD News

Feds step up HIV prevention efforts

Category: HIV

HIV testing is considered one of the most important elements in preventing the spread of the infection, and the federal government is now doing more to help connect people to clinics that offer screening.

For example, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently announced that it is giving the city of Chicago a grant of nearly $1 million in order to make HIV testing and treatment more accessible, according to the Chicago Phoenix.

Public health officials from the city said the grant would enable them to administer much-needed funding to local clinics, which are responsible for much of the testing that goes on in the city.

"Community Mental Health Centers provide the large majority of mental health services in Chicago," said Chicago Department of Public Health commissioner Bechara Choucair "Incorporating HIV testing and treatment in these settings is a critical step in enhancing our overall infrastructure."

The grants will be used to offer HIV testing as part of patients' regular checkups and it will help make condoms available for free to more patients.