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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS in Colorado has increased 15 percent over the past five years. On the Western Slope at least 543 people have been diagnosed with HIV.
The number of women with HIV is higher on the Western Slope than the state average, WestCAP (Western Colorado AIDS Project) regional director Mary Beth Luedtke said.
WestCAP provides testing, prevention and education services regarding AIDS/HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted infections.
WestCAP and three other Colorado AIDS service organizations announced Monday its merger Oct. 1 to form a new, statewide Colorado AIDS Project based in Denver in part to increase funding opportunities.
“We thought we could respond better as a unified front,” Luedtke said, “to provide a bigger voice to make a greater impact on the national level.”
Services will continue at WestCAP's office, located at 805 Main St.
WestCAP serves 22 counties providing case management to help people living with HIV gain access to programs they need to maintain medical care and a healthy lifestyle.
WestCAP offers walk-in discount HIV testing twice a month: the first Friday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon, and the fourth Monday, 1-4 p.m. There is a $25 cash fee for the test.
People may also make an appointment to be tested at other times, for a fee of $100.
HIV is not curable, although many have lived with the virus for many years without becoming seriously ill, Luedtke said.
“The virus affects everybody differently,” she said. “Medicines have really helped with quality of life and longevity.”
“Opportunistic infections” take root in some people with HIV, whereas a healthy individual could ward off those diseases.
The Colorado AIDS Project promotes testing for HIV to prevent further transmission of the disease by sexual fluids, blood or breastmilk.
“The typical progression over the course of years (often involves) a person not able to shake off colds; and it turns into pneumonia,” Luedtke said. “It takes a few years for the immune system to become depleted.”
“The unified front will mean greater efficiency, greater access to funds, and greater leveraging of funds to meet the evolving needs presented by this pandemic,” CAP executive director Ruth Pederson said.
The new board of directors is comprised of members of each of the regional CAP's former boards, now serving as regional councils.
The Colorado Department of Health and Environment estimate there are 10,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Colorado, and that an additional 8,000 are at risk of new infection.
For more information visit coloradoaidsproject.org.
The number of women with HIV is higher on the Western Slope than the state average, WestCAP (Western Colorado AIDS Project) regional director Mary Beth Luedtke said.
WestCAP provides testing, prevention and education services regarding AIDS/HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted infections.
WestCAP and three other Colorado AIDS service organizations announced Monday its merger Oct. 1 to form a new, statewide Colorado AIDS Project based in Denver in part to increase funding opportunities.
“We thought we could respond better as a unified front,” Luedtke said, “to provide a bigger voice to make a greater impact on the national level.”
Services will continue at WestCAP's office, located at 805 Main St.
WestCAP serves 22 counties providing case management to help people living with HIV gain access to programs they need to maintain medical care and a healthy lifestyle.
WestCAP offers walk-in discount HIV testing twice a month: the first Friday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon, and the fourth Monday, 1-4 p.m. There is a $25 cash fee for the test.
People may also make an appointment to be tested at other times, for a fee of $100.
HIV is not curable, although many have lived with the virus for many years without becoming seriously ill, Luedtke said.
“The virus affects everybody differently,” she said. “Medicines have really helped with quality of life and longevity.”
“Opportunistic infections” take root in some people with HIV, whereas a healthy individual could ward off those diseases.
The Colorado AIDS Project promotes testing for HIV to prevent further transmission of the disease by sexual fluids, blood or breastmilk.
“The typical progression over the course of years (often involves) a person not able to shake off colds; and it turns into pneumonia,” Luedtke said. “It takes a few years for the immune system to become depleted.”
“The unified front will mean greater efficiency, greater access to funds, and greater leveraging of funds to meet the evolving needs presented by this pandemic,” CAP executive director Ruth Pederson said.
The new board of directors is comprised of members of each of the regional CAP's former boards, now serving as regional councils.
The Colorado Department of Health and Environment estimate there are 10,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Colorado, and that an additional 8,000 are at risk of new infection.
For more information visit coloradoaidsproject.org.
