Grant will increase HIV testing

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has received a $20,000 grant to increase testing and reporting of HIV.
Prevention director Kim Wilhelm said the funds will also allow the agency to increase testing and counseling for sexually transmitted infections at each of its clinics.
Wilhelm said she expects the agency to designate one day a week to provide HIV and STI testing.
The grant was made to rural areas that had low HIV reporting. Wilhelm said staff will use a new rapid test so the patients can get results the same day instead of waiting several days.
The National Institute of Health and CDC called for a new program for rural areas after an outbreak of HIV in southern Indiana.
Wilhelm earlier this year reported a steady increase in sexually transmitted infections over the last three years in the agency’s three-county jurisdiction.