Statement on Indiana HIV epidemic and reduced public health funding

As public health funding has declined, HIV testing facilities have closed

In the last decade, funding cuts have forced our state’s public health infrastructure to decline, including awareness and testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. This has resulted in the closure of testing and health centers—including a funded Planned Parenthood in Scott County—as well as an overall reduction in HIV testing programs specifically.

The fact is, several sources of federal grant money for community-based wellness, including family planning, prevention and testing, have been drastically reduced or eliminated altogether. The fact that Scott County—the center of the HIV epidemic—was without a testing facility until a few weeks ago is a glaring example of the kind of public health crisis that results when prevention and testing are left unfunded.

Many rural areas—including Scott County—also have teen pregnancy rates far above the state average. We know that education and access to reproductive health care are effective strategies to reduce teen pregnancy rates, and that funding cuts reduce availability of key family planning resources.

We applaud the state’s public health officials in acting to address this epidemic, but we also encourage our legislators to adequately fund public health efforts to protect all Hoosiers from future health crises from HIV and other devastating outcomes.

Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky offers testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) at our 25 health centers in Indiana and Kentucky. We also offer education and counseling for STD awareness and prevention. In April, PPINK will recognize Get Yourself Tested (GYT) month by highlighting the need for regular STD testing and offering free HIV, gonorrhea and chlamydia testing at the following health centers the week of April 20-25. Appointments are recommended and can be made online at www.ppink.org or by calling 800-230-PLAN.

• Avon, 8102 Kingston Street, Suite 100
• Bloomington, 421 South College Avenue
• Columbus, 3200 Sycamore Court, Suite 2C
• Evansville, 125 North Weinbach, Suite 120
• Fishers, 8937 Technology Drive
• Fort Wayne, 3914 West Jefferson Boulevard
• Hammond, 7131 Indianapolis Boulevard
• Indianapolis Eastside, 9385 East Washington Street
• Indianapolis Midtown, 3750 North Meridian Street, # 100
• Indianapolis Southside, 935 East Hanna Avenue, Suite A
• Lafayette, 964 Mezzanine Drive
• Lexington, 268 Southland Drive, Suite 120
• Louisville, 1025 S. 2^nd Street
• Merrillville, 8645 Connecticut Street
• Mishawaka, 3005 Grape Road, #B
• Muncie, 3550 West Fox Ridge Lane
• Terre Haute, 30 South Third Street
• Valparaiso, 2803 Boilermaker Court, #1-F

State health officials recommend that all Hoosiers know their HIV status through testing at a health care facility.

PPINK health centers offer rapid HIV testing, which can be done by swabbing the inside of the mouth. Results are available in 20-40 minutes. Appointments for testing can be scheduled online at www.ppink.org or by calling 800-230-PLAN.

To learn more about HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), please visit PPINK online.

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Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky (PPINK) provides high-quality health care to more than 55,000 men and women each year at our health centers across two states. Our centers are staffed by skilled clinicians and highly trained health care professionals. 93% of our nonprofit’s services are preventive in nature and include Pap tests, breast and testicular cancer screenings, birth control, STD testing and treatment, and annual wellness exams. Through the Sara and Albert Reuben Partners in Health Education initiative, PPINK also provides sexuality and reproductive health education programs, equipping people to make responsible decisions so that families thrive in Indiana and Kentucky.

PPINK’s doors are open to all who need care and we provide our services in a confidential, compassionate and non-judgmental manner. We accept Medicaid and insurance.