New Chicago-Area HIV Prevention Group Aims to Involve Local Religious Leaders

The Mosaic Initiative, an HIV/AIDS advocacy group based near Chicago, plans to involve local religious leaders in its HIV/AIDS prevention and education programs, the Chicago Tribune reports. Founder Brad Ogilvie said he believes that religious leaders are an underused resource in HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention efforts, adding, "There's no question that religion has helped fuel the silence on HIV." He added that he would like to see community leaders, including clergy, encouraging people to get tested for HIV and calling for more HIV/AIDS education in schools. Ogilvie acknowledged that HIV might be too sensitive of a topic for some congregations because of its connection to sex and sexuality, calling that "a big part of our challenge." Ogilvie hopes to create a college scholarship program for adults living with AIDS and plans to continue a project that sends area residents with HIV to Kenya to help with HIV/AIDS prevention (McSherry Breslin, Chicago Tribune, 1/26).

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