11.05.16
HIV prevention funding to be given to charities
Charities can apply for grants from a £600,000 fund for HIV prevention initiatives, Public Health England announced today.
The HIV Prevention Innovation Fund is aimed at projects from charities that are supported by local authorities, which focus on promoting diagnosis, reducing stigma, integrating HIV into wider sexual health and discouraging behaviours such as drug and alcohol abuse that can increase the risk of infection.
Projects which focus on groups at high risk of infection, such as Black African communities and gay and bisexual men, are particularly encouraged to apply.
Professor Kevin Fenton, national director of health and wellbeing at Public Health England, said: “Our work with local partners is essential in fighting the rates of HIV in this country, which are still rising among certain groups.
“The fund represents an opportunity for local areas to further benefit from national support and I hope to see a range of applications, showcasing creative local solutions to a longstanding public health issue.”
An estimated 103,700 people in the UK have HIV, of whom approximately 18,000 are unaware of their condition.
The NHS is currently reconsidering its decision to transfer commissioning of PrEP, an HIV prevention drug, to local authorities.
Campaigners are calling for an end to cuts to HIV support services, although councils claim funding should be focused on prevention instead.
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