Sacramento County Launches Campaign to Inform Women About Prevention of Vertical HIV Transmission
Sacramento County officials have launched a new HIV/AIDS public awareness campaign that will use signs, billboards and brochures to inform women about the prevention of vertical HIV transmission, the Sacramento Bee reports. "We want to get the word out ... that should you be infected with HIV, you can do something to prevent it [from] being transmitted to your child," Susan Stone, county coordinator for vertical HIV transmission prevention, said. The billboards will feature designs and slogans developed by three students enrolled in pregnant and parenting schools and continuation schools in the county. Schools and doctors' offices will display copies of the illustrations for women of child-bearing age. HIV-positive pregnant women have a 25% chance of transmitting the virus to their infants, but proper testing and treatment can reduce the risk to 2% (Yost, Sacramento Bee, 6/1).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.