HIV Unit
HIV/AIDS Awareness Days
- National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: February 7
- National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: March 10
- National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: March 20
- HIV Vaccine Awareness Day: May 18
- National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: May 19
- Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: June 8
- National HIV Testing Day: June 27
- National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day: September 18
- National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: September 27
- National Latino AIDS Awareness Day: October 15
- World AIDS Day: December 1
For HIV/AIDS awareness days, community organizations, government agencies, individuals in the community, and businesses are encouraged to come together to provide support, engage in discussion, and educate about the importance of getting tested, engaging in healthy behaviors that reduce the risk of HIV infection and, for people with HIV/AIDS, getting care and other support services to live longer and healthier lives.
For more information about HIV/AIDS Awareness Days, please visit http://www.aids.gov/awareness-days.
Welcome
In September 1985, the Board of the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) focused attention on the spread of AIDS in Georgia and created the Georgia Task Force on AIDS to recommend strategies needed to combat the disease. Within the next year, the DPH initiated efforts to educate high-risk persons as well as professional and community groups about AIDS. A limited number of HIV test sites were established in April 1985 and by 1987, every County Public Health Department offered HIV antibody testing. Georgia began receiving federal HIV prevention funding during the 1986 – 1987 fiscal year and the DPH HIV Unit was established in February, 1987. Georgia has received federal funding for HIV care services since 1991.
Mission
The Mission of the HIV Unit is to reduce HIV transmission and provide excellence in Georgia's HIV/AIDS services through innovation and community partnership. The HIV Unit is dedicated to the provision of education, information, and health care services that promote and protect the health of all Georgians.
HIV Unit Programs
To achieve our mission of reducing HIV transmission as well as helping Georgians already infected live longer and healthier lives, the HIV Unit coordinates services through our HIV Care (Ryan White Part B) Program and the HIV Prevention Program.
The HIV Prevention Program coordinates the Statewide HIV Prevention Community Planning Group, develops and implements the Comprehensive HIV Prevention Plan, coordinates the HIV testing program and data reporting for the state, and provides capacity building and training for community partners and public health staff. The HIV Prevention Program also provides funding to community based organizations and health districts covering all 18 health districts in Georgia.
The HIV Care (Ryan White Part B) Program funds essential medical and supportive services for persons with HIV disease or AIDS, and manages the Georgia AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and Health Insurance Continuation Program (HICP). The HIV Care Program provides funding for essential medical and supportive services to 16 health districts and several agencies in Georgia, educates the public and health care professionals about HIV and AIDS, and monitors the quality of medical care and case management services.
Most services are delivered through third parties, including local health departments, community or hospital-based health care facilities, community based organizations and other non-governmental organizations in every part of the state. In addition, the HIV Unit conducts program evaluation, health services research, and analysis and surveillance of the epidemic within the state of Georgia.
Disclaimer: This site contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences.
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