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HIV prevention drug services expanding in some counties

CAIRO, Ill. (AP) - The Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and the Southern Seven Health Department are working to expand HIV prevention drug services to people in some rural areas.

The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reports that the Southern Seven's clinic in Cairo has started offering access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis -- commonly referred to as PrEP -- services to residents within Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski and Union counties.

A $50,000 grant to the SIU School of Medicine's Department of Population, Science and Policy is helping pay for the services. The grant was awarded by the Telligen Community Initiative.

Truvada is the brand name for the PrEP pill which is intended for people at high risk for HIV. The health department says the medication "has seen a slow uptake in rural communities."

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Information from: Southern Illinoisan, http://www.southernillinoisan.com

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