Commissioners advance Health Dept. resolution to better to address HIV, other infections

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Shelby County has moved to No. 2 nationally in the number of HIV infections, Shelby County Commissioners were told today during a monthly committee meeting.

In response, the Shelby County Health Department presented a resolution that, if passed by the full body, would fund $845,000 for new 13 staff positions.

Commissioners voted favorably to advance the resolution, which is federally funded through the state of Tennessee Health Department.

Dr. Michelle Taylor, Shelby County Health Department director, said additional staff would help fill in gaps in staffing, to make locations a “one-stop shop.”

Their work, including contact tracing, would go toward “curbing the rate of sexually transmitted infections,” she said.

Commissioners asked Taylor what success looks like in terms of tracking data.

Taylor responded that the department looks at effective models at other health departments and implements those strategies.

Health Department employees provide STD health services both in the clinic offices and in one-one one outreach and working with community partners like churches for awareness campaigns, she said.

Taylor described the staff as “disease investigators,” getting out into the communities where data reveals problem trends.

“We look at numbers – in different zip codes – then we do educational outreach,” Taylor said, adding that workers particularly reach out to help pregnant women who have tested positive for infections.

“With new positions we will be able to reach every corner of the county,” eventually, Taylor said.