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Recent Increase In Local HIV Cases

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Many health experts say needle exchange programs reduce the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C and other diseases.

Health officials in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky recently reported an increase in the number of HIV cases linked to injection drug use in the region. The increase is the result of the continuing heroin crisis, as drug users share needles contaminated with the virus. That's why many health experts advocate for needle exchange programs, such as The Cincinnati Exchange Project(CEP), or the one operated in the Northern Kentucky Health Department's Grant County office.

Joining us to discuss the increase in HIV in the region are Northern Kentucky Health Department District Director of Health, Dr. Lynne M. Saddler; Family Health Division Director with theCincinnati Health Department, Dr. Jennifer Mooney; and Hamilton County Public Health Commissioner Tim Ingram.