Education Group Receives Grant To Combat HIV Outbreak In W.Va.

A West Virginia organization called Community Education Group was recently awarded $500,000 to combat the spread of HIV in the state. 

West Virginia is currently experiencing its fourth HIV outbreak in three years, driven by the state’s ongoing opioid crisis. The grant from Gilead Sciences will enable the organization to coordinate community response to the state’s growing HIV crisis by funding programs that use an integrated approach to preventing HIV, viral hepatitis and opioid usage.
 
Since the spike in HIV cases is connected with injection drug use, the Community Education Group plans to work with established regional coalitions that are already addressing the opioid epidemic. The organization’s goal is to integrate HIV education, training and policy development into ongoing community efforts. At the same time the organization hopes to build an overarching statewide coalition to mobilize advocates, researchers, policymakers and experts to meet with legislators and contribute to future planning for leveraging federal resources.