**Georgia Tackles HIV/AIDS Challenge**
For a long time, Georgia has had a problem with people not knowing they have HIV. Many people think that HIV is only a problem for drug users and members of the LGBT community, but it’s not true. People in risk groups, who have had unprotected sex or received blood transfusions from someone else, need to get tested.
**New Project Helps**
To fix this problem, several organizations joined forces to create a new project. They wanted to find out how to encourage people in risk groups to get HIV tests. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and others worked together on this project.
**Experimenting with New Ideas**
The project used special messages to try and persuade people to take HIV self-tests. They tested these messages online and found out what worked best. The first test showed some good results, but not everyone decided to get a self-test. So, they simplified the website and made it easier for people to order tests.
**Success**
The second phase of the project was very successful. Many more people ordered self-tests than before. This is great news because it means that more people will know their HIV status and can get help if they need it.
**Future Plans**
The results of this project will be used to make future plans for HIV testing in Georgia. The National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, the Center for Infectious Diseases, and AIDS researchers were all presented with the findings. The goal is to make sure that people have access to medical services that are confidential, trustworthy, and stigma-free.
**A New Approach**
This project was a new approach to solving a big problem in Georgia. It showed that by working together and using innovative ideas, we can find solutions to complex issues.