Congressman Cohen Announces $5.3 Million HIV Emergency Relief Grant for Shelby County
“These funds will help thousands of citizens of the 9th District who are living with HIV and AIDS,” said Congressman Cohen. “Unfortunately, the HIV epidemic continues to plague our district, particularly in the African American community. With access to the proper, comprehensive medical care they deserve, patients with HIV and AIDS who have had little hope will be given a fighting chance. I believe that with this funding we can effectively and proactively slow the spread of this deadly disease in the 9th District.”
The grant was awarded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (part of HHS) as a result of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act (RWMA) of 2006 (Public Law 108-415), which authorized outpatient and ambulatory health and support services to eligible communities severely affected by the HIV epidemic. According to the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department, in 2005 there were 7,570 residents in Memphis and Shelby County who had been infected with HIV/AIDS, and 5,008 were still living with the disease. African Americans represent more than 80% of those living with the disease in the 9th District.
On Tuesday, Congressman Cohen announced another grant of nearly $300,000 from HHS to the Memphis City Schools system that will go towards the creation of a comprehensive school health program to prevent sexual behaviors that result in HIV infection.
For more information on HIV relief programs in the Memphis metro area, please contact Congressman Cohen’s Memphis office at 901-544-4131 or the Shelby County Health Department at 901-544-6847.
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Contact:
Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, (202) 225-3265/ (202) 368-9275 (mobile)
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, (202) 225-3265 / (202) 320-2817 (mobile)