HIV

People Who Are Immunocompromised Encouraged To Get Booster Shot

FARGO, N.D. — Additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines are now recommended for people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems. North Dakota Department of Health is urging those North Dakotans to consider getting the additional dose to increase their immunity to COVID. Included in CDC’s recommendation are recipients of organ or stem cell transplants, people with advanced or untreated HIV…

Grand Forks County Battles Opioid Crisis With New Syringe Program

It's hoping to stop the spread of drug abuse, get rid of dirty sharps and give people the help they need.

  GRAND FORKS, N.D. — The county is starting its new syringe collection program, the fifth in the state, in the wake of an opioid epidemic across the nation. It’s hoping to stop the spread of drug abuse, get rid of dirty sharps and give people the help they need. “It’s an opportunity for them to talk frankly about their…

North Dakota HIV Awareness Walk Battles Stigma

NDCPG held their second annual walk

FARGO, N.D. — About six dozen people put on their walking shoes to raise awareness for HIV. The North Dakota Community Planning Group for HIV and Viral Hepatitis Prevention, Care and Treatment (NDCPG) held its second annual HIV Awareness Walk. The organization is designed to make sure people in North Dakota have access to quality HIV prevention services. People at…

NDSU Holds Free and Confidential HIV Testing to Erase Stigma

This is the second year in a row they've done the testing

FARGO, N.D. — NDSU’s Crossroads Lutheran Campus Ministry holds HIV testing for the second year in a row. A campus minister says their mission is to be an advocate for everyone, including those who have Aids or may not yet know they have Aids. The ministry partnered with the North Dakota Department of Health to provide free and confidential tests. The…

North Dakota’s First Ever HIV Awareness Walk Gets Rid of Misconceptions Behind the Virus

The North Dakota Community Planning Group, Family Healthcare and the North Dakota Department of Health put on the walk

FARGO, N.D. — The HIV virus has been in the United States since the 1970’s but to this day, it still carries a stigma with it. “People think someone is HIV infected because they’re a gay man or they do drugs and stuff like that,” said Ryan Braunberger, community co-chair of the North Dakota Community Planning Group. Braunberger says it’s…

First Needle Exchange in Fargo Might Open within Two Months

Fargo Cass Public Health Still Awaiting Approval from North Dakota Department of Health

FARGO, N.D. — The first needle exchange program in Fargo might be opening within the next few months. Administered through Fargo Cass Public Health, the program still needs the final approval of the North Dakota Department of Health. Once that approval is received, the program would be open to the public within one to two months. Robyn Litke Sall of Fargo…

Fargo Could Get First Needle Exchange Program Within Next Few Months

The program could be in place by mid-March

FARGO, N.D. — A needle exchange program may be the first of its kind in downtown Fargo, but it’ll be modeled after Moorhead’s Good Neighbor Project. “I think there has been a lot of success from the Moorhead Good Neighbor Project. We want to expand and we know people from Fargo have been using that location in Moorhead,” said Dr. John…

De-stigmatizing HIV by Changing California Law

Individuals who are infected with HIV are often already stereotyped

FARGO, ND — Just last week California passed a law that reduced the penalty for knowingly transmitting HIV from a felony to a misdemeanor. We spoke to the epidemiologist at Fargo Cass Public Health who says HIV is one of the most stigmatized diseases out there. With all of the modern forms of medicine today, he says lawmakers feel changing…

Health Officials are Promoting HIV Awareness Across the Valley

A public education session was held giving the facts behind HIV

FARGO, N.D. — State health officials said there are misconceptions about HIV, even though the disease has been around for more than 30 years. The North Dakota Department of Health and Family HealthCare held public education sessions to promote HIV awareness. They put up presentations teaching about how to prevent STD’s. After the event, opportunities for a Q&A opened up….

ND Department of Health Holding HIV Education Forums

Health officials recommend every person be tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime, regardless of risk factors

  NORTH DAKOTA — The North Dakota Department of Health is teaming up with Family HealthCare to help communities across the state understand more about HIV. Organizers of the public forums say they want the public to be educated on the most current information on HIV transmission and treatment, as well as understanding the ways you can prevent and stop…