New app hopes to inform on the dangers of AIDS | News

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Reaching young people about the dangers of aids, that is what Birmingham Aids Outreach is hoping to do with a new app. It is the first of its kind in the state.

It is really simple to download. Go to your app store and search "Birmingham Aids Outreach." The app is free and there you will find information about the disease, where you can go to get tested, and eventually they hope to send out reminders.

"Everyone pretty much has an iPhone these days so we're thinking, what is something everyone had we can tap into? A new app," said Karen Musgrove, Executive Director of Birmingham Aids Outreach.

Musgrove says right now the number of people infected with the virus is not dropping in Jefferson County. "The younger generation who doesn't remember the 80's and who doesn't remember when all of their friends passed away and that's where it's kind of going back to, so with the app we are kind of tapping into the younger generation," said Musgrove.

Musgrove says men who are having sex with men, and African American women are at greater risk, but gay African American men have the highest risk. And social media is not helping bring down those numbers. "It's easier to meet people. It's easier to travel from one side of the state to another. People aren't so clustered together like we used to be. It's just easier to get around," said Musgrove.

But it is also easier to reach the masses. They hope this new app will get more people thinking and get tested.

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