Community-Based HIV Prevention Programs Save Treatment Costs

A study published in the journal AIDS and Behaviour found that for every $1 spent on community-based HIV prevention programs in Ontario, $5 were saved in treatment costs, which, over a 25-year period, resulted in $6.5 billion in savings to Ontario's healthcare system by preventing over 16,000 people from being infected.

According to Dr Sean Rourke, lead author on the study, his findings that community-based programs avert infections and save healthcare dollars are consistent with similar studies in other jurisdictions. "Given that an effective vaccine for HIV is not yet available and that the HIV epidemic is far from over, continued investments in a combination of effective and evidence-based programs is essential," he said.

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