WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Edolphus “Ed” Towns (NY-10) today announced that he secured more than $1 million to help the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) launch an HIV prevention campaign in Brooklyn.  GMHC is a New York City-based organization that conducts HIV testing and targeted outreach activities aimed at ending the AIDS epidemic.  In addition, the organization helps more than 15,000 men, women and families affected by HIV/AIDS in New York City.

“We must do everything possible to decrease the HIV infection rate in Brooklyn,” said Rep. Towns.  “This effort will educate men, women and children about HIV/AIDS while highlighting the deadly impact the disease is having on our neighborhoods.”

Rep. Towns secured $1.5 million dollars to help Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) launch a multi-year prevention campaign in New York City.  The program will focus on educating the historically high-risk population of young Black and Hispanic males about HIV/AIDS.  The funding was included in the Department of Justice, Commerce, and Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010, which passed the House in August 2009, and was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010 that President Obama signed into law last month.

According to a 2007 Center for Disease Control (CDC) survey, New York City had the highest rate of HIV prevalence among all cities surveyed.  Rep. Towns is committed to helping reduce the rate of infection and those affected by HIV/AIDS in Brooklyn and all of New York City.

 “In our fight against HIV/AIDS, we need a community-wide effort to help prevent the spread of this deadly disease,” said Rep. Towns.  “That is why I am proud to support the Gay Men’s Health Crisis and their effort to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.”

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