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Assessment of Community Needs and Project Objectives
Availability of HIV care
The two area correctional facilities and the Chemung County Jail are generally understood to be associated with the largest concentrations of HIV cases. The prevalence of drugs and unsafe sex is actually the more real threat to public health.
The Health Network views an Elmira College anecdote as particularly compelling. The story tells of a role playing session on AIDS arranged by a health professional involving five students, one of whom the professional believed to be HIV-positive. By its conclusion, it is the health professional who is enlightened -- learning through the role play that all five -- not just one of the students -- are HIV positive. The Health Network presents the anescdote as a micro view of a regional problem. While the spread of HIV infection is understood to be a growing health problem, it is likely to be even more prevalent than even health care providers presently know.
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