Core 116

The Problem of AIDS Prevention in Connecticut

Although it has been nearly thirty years since HIV/AIDS first began to claim American lives, the state of Connecticut and, more specifically, the Public Health Department of Bridgeport in Fairfield County, has failed to institute an effective prevention program to combat the spread of the deadly virus. Instead, the city is currently facing new infection crises among intravenous drug users (IDUs) and the African American and Hispanic communities. Such appalling disregard for this growing problem cannot, however, continue much longer. Soon the city’s Public Health officials will be forced to focus on these groups and the service barriers affecting their education. Why are there no plans that decrease transportation problems? Why are economic issues still impeding information access? Why has nothing been done to combat the lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate programs? Instead of focusing their attention on the problems of the past, future Public Health officials will have to institute a strategy targeting those groups currently most at-risk. The plan for Bridgeport should include both a mobile Needle Exchange Program and a series of culturally relevant intervention sessions separately targeting the African American and Hispanic communities.