Executive Director of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute, Dr. Amy Nunn, speaks about HIV/AIDS in the State Room of the State House as part of World AIDS Day. Photo by Andrew Augustus, WPRO News
Andrew Augustus, WPRO News
A sea of red filled the State Room of the State House as many gathered to bring awareness to HIV/AIDS.
“We’re always learning more, doing better, and the goal is to get to zero. We’ve come a long way that’s for sure,” said Governor Lincoln Chafee.
Rhode Island World AIDS Day was hosted at the State House as part of a group of events happening throughout the week in order to bring attention to HIV/AIDS.
As of 2012, more than 1,500 Rhode Islanders have died as a result of HIV/AIDS. During the past 30 years, there has been a decrease in infection; however there were still 74 new cases of HIV in 2013.
“If we offer HIV screenings routinely at all the primary care settings across the state, we could really make a big difference,” said Executive Director of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute Dr. Amy Nunn.
However that is not the only way to help curb the problem. “We have to work with internet companies who are facilitating HIV transmission on the websites,” said Nunn.
She says the goal is one day to have zero new cases occur in Rhode Island and eventually nationwide.
