CDC Awards Philadelphia Health Department Funds For HIV Prevention and Care

The target focus will be gay and bisexual men of color and MSM.

Via Shutterstock

Via Shutterstock

The Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention has awarded the City of Philadelphia Health Department a substantial grant to help develop comprehensive models of HIV prevention and care for people of color.

Philadelphia is one of seven locations awarded the grant that will “help intensive efforts specifically for gay and bisexual men of color.” New York City, Baltimore, Alabama, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Louisiana are also part of the $60.5 million dollar investment from the CDC. It is important to note that the grant will also assist with HIV prevention and treatment for MSM, or men who have sex with men. In many cases, male individuals may not identify as “gay” or “bisexual,” but may still engage in sexual activity with other men.

The funding “will enable health departments and local HIV prevention partners to deliver the most effective HIV prevention tools to these hard-hit populations” according to Nikki Mayes of the CDC.

The funds will be available to “local community-based organizations, clinics and providers of HIV prevention and care, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and critical social supports including housing and employment services,” according to the CDC. “The programs will provide a broad package of early diagnosis, prevention and care services and actively address these critical social determinants required to keep MSM of color healthy.”