Texas health officials show concern for HIV care

Lawmakers in Texas recently voted against additional funding for the state's HIV Medication Program, which health officials say will not be able to accommodate the growing number of low-income citizens who rely on federal assistance for their treatments, according to a recent article published in the Houston Chronicle.

Department of State Health Services spokeswoman Christine Mann told the newspaper that the care providers expect to see a 14 percent increase in the number of HIV-positive individuals who require state aid for medications and disease counselling within the next two years.

Funding constraints may also affect HIV prevention programs in the area, which could potentially lead to even more new cases than the health experts have anticipated.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV is most commonly spread through unprotected sex. Individuals who have unprotected sex, or those who have an existing sexually transmitted disease (STD) have a high risk of contracting the virus.

The organization notes that more than 1.1 million Americans suffer from HIV, an estimated 21 percent of whom are unaware of their positive status.

Confidential online testing services are available to people who would like to be screened for STDs.