Democratic lawmakers demand more funding, resources amid HIV, STI outbreak in Shelby Co.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The Greater Memphis area ranks second in the nation for new HIV infection rates, behind Miami, Florida, and just in front of Atlanta, Georgia, according to Shelby County Health Department Director Dr. Michelle Taylor.
Data from the Tennessee Department of Health shows an alarming rise in both HIV and syphilis infections, even in those as young as 14 years old.
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It’s why a group of Tennessee lawmakers are demanding state health leaders step in to add resources and funding to help lower those rates.
”We’re all HIV possible,” said LaDeia McNeal. “To me, this is an epidemic; this is a public health crisis.”
She’s using her reality to help others. Her nonprofit, Positive Experience, is geared towards HIV prevention, education and changing the stigma.
“It doesn’t matter who’s in my bed, it’s the fact that this is here, and what are we going to do to stop it and now it’s impacting our children,” said McNeal.
The Tennessee Department of Health said overall HIV rates have increased 36% in Shelby County since 2018. In fact, HIV rates have increased 40 percent, between 2018 and 2023 among people 15-to-19 years old.
In that same age group, syphilis rates have gone up more than 150%.
“Its disheartening, especially since the age gap is widening,” said McNeal. “It makes me think, what are we not doing and what can we do differently?”
She calls the letter long overdue, a passionate plea by a group of Tennessee Democratic lawmakers addressed to Tennessee Department of Health commissioner Dr. Ralph Alvarado about what they call a “disturbing trend.”
The lawmakers are calling for more resources, public health initiatives and a state plan to combat the HIV rise, specifically in Memphis, including changing state laws to better educate kids about prevention.
“Whether we agree with them having sex or not, we want to make sure that if they do, that they know how to protect themselves because our babies are getting HIV at astronomical rates and the buck must stop here,” said Senator London Lamar of Memphis.
Lamar is one of many lawmakers who signed the letter.
“The state needs to allocate more funding and resources to Shelby County for us to deal with this issue,” said Senator Lamar.
She’s calling for more funding for nonprofit HIV education and prevention programs like Memphis-based Friends for All.
“My biggest plea is to restore that federal funding for community groups that are doing HIV prevention and treatment so that they can aid the Department of Health,” said Senator Lamar.
Friends for All CEO Diane Duke said they received grant money from the state last year for HIV education, but the federal funds they normally receive through the state were navigated instead through United Way of Nashville to the nonprofits after the state rejected the federal grant money.
“We were impacted by the fact that our funding was gone for a while and we didn’t know where the future was,” said Duke. “Especially in times where we’re looking at high rates of HIV, it is so critical for our community that this funding be stable, that we are able to move forward and work together as a state.”
Duke admits it’s a scary reality for crucial services they provide. As for McNeal, it’s about knowing your status and proper education.
“HIV is a social justice issue. Once we attack it that way, then you’ll see some changes and shifting happen, but it takes money,” said McNeal.
Action News 5 reached out to the Tennessee Department of Health for a response to the letter from lawmakers and we haven’t heard back.
We also reached out to the Governor’s office to try and find out more about funding for HIV programs, we’re still awaiting a response.
The Shelby County Health Department released this to Action News 5:
Shelby County Health Department has launched an ambitious information and outreach plan to increase HIV testing and educate the community about HIV prevention, including PrEP and PEP medications that can prevent HIV infection.
As a part of this “Know Your Status” campaign, Shelby County Health Department is conducting outreach events in high-risk communities in Shelby County.
Shelby County Health Department provides more HIV testing than any other healthcare provider in Shelby County, testing nearly 14,000 during 2023. However, in order to increase the availability of free testing, the SCHD Sexual Health Program has also extended testing hours in our clinics.
Shelby County Health Department HIV testing locations:
814 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105
- Monday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Except for Shelby County holidays)
- Tuesday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- 2nd and 4th Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
1826 Sycamore View Road, Memphis, TN 38134
- Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Health Department is also promoting free HIV testing provided by partnering agencies and nonprofits throughout Shelby County. To find testing sites and resources, click here.
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