State and local health officials and prevention advocates today (Thursday) announced a statewide initiative to end HIV/AIDS transmission in Oregon over the next five years.
Against the backdrop of AIDS memorial quilts, public health leaders stood with people living with HIV to describe the goals of END-HIV Oregon.
The plan builds on decades of work by agencies and communities. The three components are testing, prevention, and treatment.
Suzanne is one of more than 7,100 Oregonians living with HIV. She says not enough attention is being paid to testing and prevention in Oregon’s rural areas.
“There’s a meth and heroin epidemic happening in all the small towns in the eastern part of the state. IV drug use is exploding on the reservations and in our small towns, in our high schools.”
HIV is spread by the sharing of needles in addition to unprotected sex.
According to the Oregon Health Authority, only 35% of adults have ever been tested. The plan will accelerate the use of pre-exposure Prophylaxis, a daily pill to prevent HIV infection in those at highest risk. OHA hopes to add 100 new medical providers across the state to expand access to treatment.
