Minnesota AIDS Project awarded federal grant to support HIV prevention services for young gay, bisexual men

The Minnesota AIDS Project is pleased to announce that it has been notified that it will be awarded a federal grant for five years totaling over $1.5 million from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) targeting HIV prevention services for young gay and bisexual men in Minnesota. This segment of the community represents the fastest growing population of HIV infections in Minnesota with the total number of new cases in 2009 at the highest level since 1994. The Minnesota AIDS Project Board of Directors is focusing its efforts to reduce these numbers and is committed to using the funds to target these prevention services.

The funding was made available to community-based organizations with a demonstrated history of effective programming and experience in reaching key community populations. Under the terms of the award, the organization will expand its on-site HIV testing program coordinated by the Minnesota AIDS Project AIDSLine over current levels once protocols are approved in the next several months. According to director of programs, Colleen Bjerke, "We have experienced an increasing number of requests for HIV testing over the past few years at our location as we have been a long-standing resource in the community and it has been a successful effort to link those who are positive to care and to provide important risk reduction education for all who test." In 2006, the CDC recommended that all Americans between the ages of 13 and 64 be screened annually for HIV and within higher-risk communities this is even more critical in stopping new infections.

In addition to expanded HIV testing, the new funding will support increased outreach to young gay and bisexual men, specifically those with substance use issues. The use of alcohol and other drugs plays a disproportionate role in HIV transmission as individuals tend to engage in higher-risk behaviors when under the influence of these substances. Over the past few years, the Minnesota AIDS Project has expanded its work within the chemical health arena including having staff on-site to provide chemical health assessments and follow-up for those living with HIV as well as most recently engaging licensed alcohol and drug counselors throughout the state in basic HIV education. The street outreach program of the Minnesota AIDS Project also has a long history of working with those with active substance abuse problems to reduce their risk.

Patrick Troska, chair of the board of directors for the Minnesota AIDS Project, stated "The numbers of young gay and bisexual men becoming infected with HIV is entirely unacceptable. We know how to reduce and stop the transmission of HIV. This opportunity will allow us to engage young gay and bisexual men, regardless of their HIV status, over a longer period of time with vitally needed HIV education and practical information about how to reduce their risk of infection. This new CDC grant will allow the Minnesota AIDS Project to expand its already extensive ways we connect with members in our community to reverse this disturbing trend and move closer to our mission to stop HIV in Minnesota."