Hundreds of Minnesotan’s went to the State Capitol Building on Wednesday, March 10th to lobby law makers about maintaining important funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and working for comprehensive sex education, and the affect GAMC has on people living with HIV/AIDS.   The Minnesota AIDS Project put together AIDS Action Day to encourage everyone to be an HIV Advocate.

HIV/AIDS remains a major public health issue.  In 2009 Minnesota saw a 13 percent increase in new HIV infections.  A look at the 2009 Summary of New HIV Infections shows that in 2008 we had 326 new infections at a 6.6 rate.  In 2009 we saw that rate increase by 7.5 to become 368 new infections.   In 2008 we had HIV non-AIDS infections at a rate of 4.9 with 243 new infections, where as we saw a 5.7 rate increase in 2009 becoming 279 new infections.  Out of 295 of the new cases of HIV infections, 108 and percent of those were in Minneapolis, while 33 and 11 percent of new infections were in St. Paul. The number of new infections in males from ages 13 to 29 were 122, the number among females ages 13 to 29 was 31 new infections. The Summary of new HIV Infections by race and ethnicity revealed that 57 percent of the new HIV infections were white males and 26 percent were white females.  22 percent of the new HIV Infections were among African American, while only 6 percent were African born individuals.  Compare that number to 27 percent African American females to 30 percent African born females to be newly diagnosed HIV infections in 2009.

With these numbers on the increase it is more important than ever that the LGBT community in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota take active steps to help preserve Minnesota’s budget that cares for people with HIV/AIDS.   The Minnesota State Budget currently provides about $1.4 million for HIV prevention programing to targeted communities.  When a cost benefit analysis was done concerning HIV prevention programs, it was found that the lifetime costs of caring for people living with HIV are far greater than providing funding for prevention messages and programs.  The bottom line is, tax payer dollars are saved when HIV Prevention programs are funded.

Minnesota currently provides approximately $1.2 million per fiscal year for insurance premiums and case management support programs.  These include programs to help people living with HIV/AIDS get education about their health condition, receive important medical care and be able to locate services to help find jobs and housing.

Minnesotan’s who are concerned about losing this important funding are urged to contact their legislator and ask them to keep the current governmental financial support for HIV/AIDS prevention and support services.  To look up who your Representatives and Senators are go to The Minnesota Legislature and look up your Senate District.  Remember our legislators are elected by us, therefore they are suppose to be working to help keep the public safe.  Tell our legislators your stories about how HIV/AIDS affects you, your friends and our community.  Let them know that funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, education and awareness programs are important for Minnesota.