GEORGIA – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has awarded $13.5 million to conduct state and local planning, which seeks to reduce new HIV infections in America by 90% by 2030.

With Georgia being the number three state when it comes down to the risk of contracting HIV, the program has identified 4 counties, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett county, that when combined will receive $492,370.

The main goal of the initiative is to “ensure that the key pillars of HIV prevention and treatment are delivered in a manner planned by the community, in the community, and for the community,” said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, M.D. “We have engaged and listened to advocates across the country who have provided valuable input into our overall national framework. Now, it is time for these communities to be inclusive of new voices, to innovate, and to effectively reach people living with and at greatest risk for HIV, in particular those who currently are not diagnosed and linked to care.”