HIV-prevention funding is being slashed in Colorado, even as a growing number of people are

HIV-prevention funding is being slashed in Colorado, even as a growing number of people are diagnosed


An alert went out to health agencies in late summer: the number of Coloradans diagnosed with HIV was on the rise, especially women.

The state health department is now predicting 455 people will receive HIV diagnoses by the end of 2019, up from 409 last year. And this comes after more than a decade of promise in HIV prevention, including a breakthrough drug that was a game-changer for public health.

At the same time, Colorado clinics that provide HIV testing and PrEP, the once-a-day preventative pill, are seeing their budgets slashed, and with little notice.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment informed the agencies this month of funding reductions from 25% to 87% beginning in January, igniting a clash between state officials and a community group that for decades has advised the state about HIV and AIDS prevention.

Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2019/11/26/hiv-prevention-colorado-funding-cut/