WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will award $4.1 million to the state Department of Health to help prevent and control cancer and address HIV/AIDS.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will award $4.1 million to the state Department of Health to help prevent and control cancer and address HIV/AIDS.
“The moment someone is diagnosed with cancer or HIV/AIDS, their life changes,” Schatz said. “This funding will help people manage these diseases as best we can, or prevent them from getting sick in the first place.”
The state DOH will receive $1.2 million for its cancer prevention and control programs and $2.9 million to improve the quality, availability and organization of health care and support services for patients with HIV/AIDS.
According to the state, cancer is the second-leading cause of death in Hawaii.
Every year, nearly 7,000 Hawaii residents are diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, and more than 2,000 die from the disease.
Prevention and control programs that focus on nutrition and regular screenings can greatly reduce the risk of getting cancer and help treat those suffering from the illness, according to a press release.
In Hawaii, there are more than 4,000 people living with HIV. In order to prevent HIV/AIDS, Hawaii has increased HIV testing, status awareness, and access to care.
