August 17, 2004

Press Release

Drop the Shame, Focus on the Fight

U.S. Embassy Provides Grant to Fight HIV/AIDS in Estonia Through Eliminating
the Disease's Social Stigma

On August 16, 2004, the U.S. Embassy concluded an agreement to give a grant of $44,403 to the Estonian National Institute for Health Development to reduce the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS in the society in order to increase the number of individuals testing and getting treatment for HIV/AIDS. This stigma negatively impacts the quality of care given to those with HIV/AIDS, obstructs attempts to conduct necessary HIV/AIDS testing and therefore more people could be exposed to the disease. However, this embassy-funded grant will reduce this stigma, thereby increasing the numbers of those tested for HIV/AIDS and improving the lives of those living with the disease.

This major project will focus on several areas:

Assessing of the needs and goals of this campaign in Estonia

Developing a training curriculum

Implementing a training program

Developing a stigma reduction strategy (as part of the national strategy on HIV/AIDS prevention)

Raising public awareness of HIV/AIDS related issues through a media campaign

For more information, please contact Assistant Public Affairs Officer Christopher Smith at smithcm3@state.gov or Economic Assistant Taimi Alas at alast@state.gov.