| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
September 18, 2009
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Media Contacts:
Krishna Stone, GMHC, 212-367-1016
GMHC Commends Leadership in Albany for Passage of Prison Health Bill
September 18, 2009 — Yesterday, Governor David Paterson signed into law a bill that provides the State Health Department oversight of HIV-related programs and policies in state prisons and local jails. Before now, the Health Department had no authority to conduct HIV prevention work in prisons, unlike all other state facilities.
"We commend Governor Patterson for signing this important bill, and for Assembly Member Richard Gottfried and Senator Thomas Duane for sponsoring the bill and getting it through the legislature," said Sean Cahill, PhD, Managing Director of Public Policy, Research and Community Health at GMHC. "With high rates of HIV and Hepatitis C among New York State prisoners, it is essential that the Department of Health oversees HIV prevention and care in our prisons. The Prison Health Bill increases our ability to stop the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases in New York," added Cahill.
It estimated that state prisons hold approximately 60,000 and each year, close to 27,000 return to the community. Health care and comprehensive prevention efforts for this population are critical public health interventions in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
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Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide prevention and care services to more than 15,000 men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City, and advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.
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