PADD hears of education, outreach efforts through the UK Healthcare Program

The Pennyrile Area Development Board of Directors got a visit from the UK Healthcare Program and Kentucky Income Reinvestment Program as they work to reach and educate more people about HIV and Hepatitis C.

Shannon Jackson and Venishia McGregor are team leaders for the program in the region and McGregor says they focus on underserved, at risk communities in an effort to reduce and hopefully eliminate to the spread of HIV and Hepatitis in Kentucky through healthcare and education.

A lot of that effort takes the form of going into at-risk communities and putting out the word, making sure they know what their options and resources are.

Jackson says harm reduction services through local health departments are at work throughout the state to help get used needles and other hazardous materials out of the community. She says there are care programs specifically for those diagnosed with HIV in each region of the state.

She says its good to know that these types of diseases can spread through more than just sex—sharing needles and other drug use equipment is a leading cause. For more information on how to prevent the spread of HIV and Hepatitis, visit the CDC website, or contact educators at the Pennyrile District Health Department or Christian County Health Department.