This year I’m proud to help sponsor the 2023 Boytbutante AIDS Foundation Ball here in Athens, GA on April 22nd.
Since 1989, Boybutante has worked to raise money to help fund services for people living with HIV/AIDS as well as educational programs targeting HIV/AIDS prevention and the elimination of prejudice and discrimination against HIV/AIDS-affected individuals.
The state of Georgia has the 4th highest HIV infection rate in the country (643.5 per 100k) mostly due to pre-existing notions about those at risk for infection and those who carry the virus. Because of these prejudices, people are often afraid to get tested contributing to the spread of the virus. From a public health perspective, we know that the best way to prevent the spread of HIV is through effective testing programs and trying to remove the stigma associated with it. The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once in their lifetimes and this is a service I regularly offer to my patients.
Given the high rate of infection in Georgia it is possible that you personally know someone affected by, either directly or indirectly, HIV. I’d like to think that in today’s world the stigma associated with HIV would have died out long ago, but we have much work to do and these patients need our support. So since I strongly believe in its mission I have decided to officially help sponsor this years Boytbutante Ball. If you’re in Athens I recommend checking it out, tickets always go fast and its a great party for a great cause.
Greenleaf Direct Primary Care 