Poughkeepsie... Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus has announced Dutchess County has been awarded $103,571 to develop and expand systems of care to meet the primary care needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS in Dutchess County.

“Thanks to the hard work and diligent effort by our team at the Department of Health, Dutchess County had one of the best rated applications and we were able to secure this important source of funding for our community,” said County Executive Steinhaus.  “This additional funding will help us to continue to enhance and develop necessary services to help all those impacted by  HIV/AIDS.”

This funding is made available through the Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI) of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006.  The Ryan White Program was amended in December 2006, when Congress established a new competitive Minority AIDS Initiative grant program in response to the growing and disproportionate impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in some minority communities.  The most recent data available from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) shows racial and ethnic minorities represent the highest number of new AIDS cases nationwide, and 70 percent of people living with AIDS. HIV disease has become a leading cause of death for African Americans.

According to Commissioner of Health Michael C. Caldwell, MD, MPH, consistent with national trends, the burden of HIV infection falls on minority populations, with approximately 46% of the cases among Blacks, about 28% Hispanics, and 24% Whites.

“The Dutchess County Department of Health collaborates with the Dutchess County HIV Health Services Planning Council to create a seamless system of care for those affected by HIV and AIDS in our community. The MAI funds will help us improve the related health outcomes for all those affected with HIV and AIDS,” stated Commissioner Caldwell.