South Carolina Leaders Discuss HIV Testing

On Tuesday, state health officials, physicians and AIDS advocates discussed CDC's latest efforts to expand HIV testing. Of the almost 14,000 HIV-positive South Carolinians, 60 percent were diagnosed when their infection had progressed to the point at which medication was necessary. As of Nov. 8, 293 people with little or no insurance were on a waiting list to receive help from the state AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Bambi Gaddist, executive director of the S.C. HIV/AIDS Council, said stigma continues to keep many people from testing. Dr. Kent Stock of Lowcountry Infectious Diseases said that in 2002 the state spent more than $70 million in hospitalization charges for about 1,900 HIV/AIDS patients. The National Minority Health Month Foundation sponsored the town hall meeting, one of a series it is holding across the country.

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