The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently gave over $2.2 billion in grants from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program to states, cities and community-based organizations for HIV/AIDS care and medications.
“Over the last quarter-century, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program has played a critical role in the United States’ public health response to HIV,”
HHS Secretary
Sylvia Burwell said. “These grants will make a difference for the most vulnerable Americans who lack adequate health care coverage or financial resources to pay for treatment.”
The grants were given within the 2015 fiscal year and are meant to support a comprehensive, coordinated care system for people who have HIV infections or are affected by HIV. This includes over 500,000 patients in the U.S. who need ongoing access to important HIV support services, health care and medications.
“The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program has made great strides moving clients along the HIV care continuum, an approach that helps communities plan for and provide a full range of emergency and long-term services for people living with HIV,” James Macrae,
Health Resources and Services Administration acting administrator, said. “In 2013, 81 percent of program clients were retained in care and more than 78 percent of those who were in care are virally suppressed. This improves clinical and public health outcomes by preserving health, extending life expectancy and reducing HIV transmission.”
