Mississippi Human Rights Watch wants HIV policy changes

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) of Mississippi recently released a statement condemning the state's policy makers for what the group believes is an irresponsible use of federal funding, since little is being allocated for HIV prevention or aid for residents who suffer from the disease.

"Mississippi has resisted effective approaches to HIV prevention and treatment and instead supported policies that promote stigma and discrimination, fueling one of the nation's highest AIDS rates," the group reported.

Members of the association believe that Mississippi's laws, which penalize citizens who are HIV positive for not revealing their status, encourage individuals to avoid testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and in turn to increase the spread of the infections.

In 2009, the state's Department of Health (MSDH) reported that out of every 100,000 Mississippians, 313 had HIV. The number of diagnoses in the region is slightly above the national average.

Individuals with other STDs have a higher risk of contracting HIV, and Mississippi ranks first in the nation with the highest rates of chlamydia, according to the MSDH.

Anyone who would like to be screened for STDs, including HIV, may consider using online testing services.