August 28, 2006
Noting that the rate of notification of new chlamydia infections has nearly tripled over the past decade, Health Minister Tony Abbott has announced a $3.5 million Australian ($2.6 million US) program to fight the disease among high-risk groups, including people ages 16-25, Aboriginals, Torres Strait Islanders, pregnant women and men who have sex with men. Projects targeting the groups will be conducted at hospitals and community centers in urban, rural and remote sectors of Australia. The money is part of a $12.5 million Australian ($9.5 million US) allocation announced last June to fight the STD.