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A New Focus: Public PolicyThe Michigan AIDS Fund has a long and successful history of funding worthwhile HIV/AIDS programs in Michigan. We also recognize, however, that simply funding programs is often not enough when public policies exist that are detrimental to effective HIV prevention programs. In 2005, MAF adopted a Public Engagement initiative designed toeducate, motivate and mobilize the public and policy makers to more effectively prevent the spread of the epidemic. We’re working to increase knowledge and awareness of the state of the epidemic and the importance of HIV prevention, and to mobilize policy makers and community leaders to respond to the epidemic. We surveyed experts in the HIV field to help us create a comprehensive report, Public Policy Initiatives for HIV/AIDS Prevention in Michigan. This report, which identifies four public policy priorities, is the blueprint our Public Policy Committee and others use to guide our work in this area. [Note: The report was prepared for the Michigan AIDS Fund on public policy priorities as identified by others. The MAF Board of Trustees reserves the right to adopt or reject any recommendations contained therein. ] Syringe AccessThe first public policy priority identified in Public Policy Initiatives for HIV/AIDS Prevention in Michigan is the need to advocate for syringe access programs. More than 30% of the more than 6,000 reported cases of AIDS in Michigan through 2005 can be attributed directly or indirectly to injection drug use. Evidence suggests that there may be 45,000 active injection drug users in Michigan, more than half of which are in southeastern Michigan. The need to reach greater numbers of injection drug users at risk of HIV infection and other blood-borne diseases is great. The Michigan AIDS Fund has a long history of supporting syringe access programs, and we’re currently the only funder of this intervention in the state. The good news is that programs that provide greater access to clean syringes are working to reduce HIV infections. The proportion of injection drug users diagnosed with HIV in Michigan from 2000 – 2004 declined significantly, from 17% to 12%. This is due in great part and coincides with the introduction of the syringe exchange programs operating in the state. The bad news is the number of these programs has declined from 5 to 3 in just 2 years, and the remaining programs face financial challenges as well. Syringe access programs are also cost-effective. The estimated lifetime cost of care and treatment for just one HIV positive person is $195,000. Given 1,000 new infections annually in Michigan, it will cost $195 million to care for everyone infected this year alone. Syringe access programs, however, typically cost $4,000 to $40,000 per person, far less than the cost of care.
Syringe exchange programs clearly work, but creating and maintaining them continues to be a major challenge. Because of our longstanding commitment to this work, MAF convened the Michigan Injection Drug Users Health Alliance (MIDUHA), modeled after programs in New York City and California, in an effort to coordinate efforts and resources to advance initiatives for drug user health in the State of Michigan. MIDUHA participants include MAF and representatives and advisors from syringe exchange programs in Detroit, Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti and Grand Rapids, State Health Department HIV/AIDS, Substance Abuse and Hepatitis C programs. This group is working to strengthen the service delivery of syringe access programs, identify the issues and obstacles to greater care, and increase the public and financial support of these vital programs. HIV/AIDS Alliance of MichiganThe Michigan AIDS Fund is proud to work in collaboration with other organizations to promote effective public policy, including the HIV/AIDS Alliance of Michigan (HAAM). As stated in its by-laws, HAAM serves an important role in the fight against HIV: “In order to serve the needs of all persons affected by HIV/AIDS, the member organizations of HAAM come together to support and strengthen the programs offered by the member organizations by:
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