Youth Awareness Program Scrapped - Edmonton, CANADA

[Guest guest]

CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update

Tuesday, April 13, 2004

CANADA:

" Youth Awareness Program Scrapped "

Edmonton Sun (04.12.04):: Bradford

Though Edmonton's youth are among those most at risk from

the region's syphilis outbreak, nonprofit HIV Edmonton has

scrapped its youth HIV and STD prevention programs due to a

funding crisis. " We are not delivering programs for youth at this

point " because HIV Edmonton is lacking the financial resources to

do so, said the group's Executive Director Sherry McKibben.

HIV Edmonton's federal-provincial grant - its main source of

funding - was cut very slightly this year to $450,000

(US$337,056). But increased costs associated with insurance, rent

and other expenses are to blame for the funding crunch, McKibben

said. " Over the past three years, we've lost four positions, " she

said, adding that the group now has 10 full-time staff. " We are

working as hard and as fast as we can to get out the prevention

message, but our capacity to address this is limited. "

McKibben said her group has been working with Capital Health

to heighten awareness to the syphilis outbreak. " We've been

trying to do some outreach testing in the inner city " and

continue partner tracing for those who test positive for

syphilis, said Dr. Ameeta Singh of Capital Health's STD Centre.

Investigations are ongoing, she said.

[Guest guest]

CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update

Tuesday, April 13, 2004

CANADA:

" Youth Awareness Program Scrapped "

Edmonton Sun (04.12.04):: Bradford

Though Edmonton's youth are among those most at risk from

the region's syphilis outbreak, nonprofit HIV Edmonton has

scrapped its youth HIV and STD prevention programs due to a

funding crisis. " We are not delivering programs for youth at this

point " because HIV Edmonton is lacking the financial resources to

do so, said the group's Executive Director Sherry McKibben.

HIV Edmonton's federal-provincial grant - its main source of

funding - was cut very slightly this year to $450,000

(US$337,056). But increased costs associated with insurance, rent

and other expenses are to blame for the funding crunch, McKibben

said. " Over the past three years, we've lost four positions, " she

said, adding that the group now has 10 full-time staff. " We are

working as hard and as fast as we can to get out the prevention

message, but our capacity to address this is limited. "

McKibben said her group has been working with Capital Health

to heighten awareness to the syphilis outbreak. " We've been

trying to do some outreach testing in the inner city " and

continue partner tracing for those who test positive for

syphilis, said Dr. Ameeta Singh of Capital Health's STD Centre.

Investigations are ongoing, she said.