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When Facebook and Twitter can help stop AIDS/HIV

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In the mid-1980s, there were predictions that AIDS would kill millions of people in the United States and the Western World. Education campaigns and other strategies kept that from happening in the West. However, in Africa, it was a different story where tens of millions did die. 

AIDS was a death sentence for many who were diagnosed in the ’80s and ’90s. With the possible exception of cancer, AIDS and the HIV virus that caused AIDS, were researched and studied probably more than any other illness during those times.  No cure was found and still hasn’t been, but treatments like antiretroviral therapy, got much better to the point where those diagnosed today are living long lives.

However, the key is to get treatment and almost 50% of Americans who are HIV positive aren’t on antiretroviral therapy and are risking their health. Meanwhile, there are some 50,000 new infections in the U.S. every year.

The challenge is reaching the people who are most at risk of contracting the virus — mostly young men of color.

Penn State Health’s infectious disease HIV/AIDS program has received a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration to expand its OPT-In For Life social media campaign to encourage testing and treatment.

Dr. John Zurlo, Director of Infectious Diseases Training at Penn State Health leads the campaign and spoke on Smart Talk along with Yolanda Edrington, Community & Patient Engagement Supervisor with Hamilton Health Center.

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