U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff have secured new resources to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Metro Atlanta area.
Sens. Ossoff and Warnock announced new resources for the Fulton County’s Department for HIV Elimination to help Georgians with HIV/AIDS access the health care, treatment, and support services they need.
The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration awarded approximately $115 million to 60 HIV/AIDS Bureau EHE recipients to link people with HIV who are either newly diagnosed, or are diagnosed but currently not in care, to essential HIV care and treatment and support services. Almost $4 million has gone to Atlanta, with Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties as priority areas of focus.
The new resources will also help provide workforce training and technical assistance.
“Working alongside Senator Warnock, I will continue strengthening health care services, facilities, and access for the people of Georgia. The fight against HIV/AIDS continues, and this investment will help prevent and treat disease,” Sen. Ossoff said in a release.
“I’ve long been committed to fighting for care and justice for those living with HIV, and as a voice for Georgians in the Senate I’m proud to continue that work as a lawmaker,” said Sen. Warnock. “The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that what impacts one of us impacts all of us, so I’m proud that we were able to secure vital federal investments to combat the HIV epidemic.”
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, there are nearly 60,000 people in Georgia living with HIV. This impacted group is disproportionately made up of Black Georgians and Atlantans.