Iowa HIV plan could help rural areas
Comprehensive planning and data stockpiling by state officials is now a national case study on how to effectively meet the needs of rural residents with HIV.
The details are part of a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Improving Health Outcomes Through Data Utilization,” which highlights six regional initiatives under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. Work by the Iowa Department of Public Health, which receives a Part B grant through the Ryan White program, is Chapter One.
The prominent placement is partly because Iowa is unusual in the world of HIV/AIDS outreach and care services. That is, about a third of state residents living with HIV/AIDS aren’t in urban areas. They’re scattered throughout the state, many in distinctly rural communities.
These individuals often feel stigma regarding their disease more intensely due to their lack of a local support system. They also can face added health challenges because they must travel to access services.
Read more: http://www.thegazette.com/subject/opinion/blogs/lynda-waddington/iowa-hiv-plan-could-help-rural-areas-20170324