HIV/AIDS Conference In Raleigh

A network of health experts, policymakers and advocates in the fight against AIDS are gathering for a conference today near the state capitol.

Leoneda Inge: The rate of new HIV cases in North Carolina is 41-percent higher than the national rate. Lisa Hazirjian is the Executive Director of North Carolina AIDS Action Network.

Lisa Hazirjian: It is very scary and it’s part of a southern situation where throughout the southeast we see disproportionately high incidents of new HIV infections.

But Hazirjian says UNC research shows, early treatment of HIV dramatically reduces new infections. She says one main goal of the HIV-AIDS Advocacy Conference is to push lawmakers for continued funding for prevention efforts, especially in rural areas.