DURBIN, DUCKWORTH ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $776,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR HIV PREVENTION IN YOUNG GAY MEN WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded a total of $776,730 to Howard Brown Health Center and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, Inc. to implement comprehensive HIV prevention programs to reduce morbidity, mortality, and related health disparities among young men of color who have sex with men and young transgender persons of color.
“Sadly, the rate of HIV infection is disproportionately high among young people of color, especially among African American and Latino youth. Much of this is due to social, economic, and cultural barriers that limit the ability of many young people of color to receive accurate and adequate information on preventing HIV,” said Durbin. “This funding is critical is changing this devastating trend and improving health outcomes in these underserved communities.”
“Unfortunately, young people of color have a higher risk of contracting HIV,” said Duckworth. “This funding is a critical step towards eliminating an alarming inequity by improving HIV prevention and education efforts.”
Both Howard Brown Health Center and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, Inc. will be awarded $388,365 in federal funds, respectively. The funding is provided through the Comprehensive High-Impact HIV Prevention Projects for Young Men of Color Who Have Sex with Men and Young Transgender Persons of Color program at the CDC. The goals of this program are to increase HIV testing; link HIV-positive persons to HIV medical care; increase referrals to Partner Services (PS); provide prevention and essential support services for HIV-positive persons and persons at high risk of acquiring HIV who are unaware of their HIV status; and increase program monitoring and accountability.