Home / Health / Brandon Tackles STBBI Rise with Outreach
Brandon Tackles STBBI Rise with Outreach
26 Jun
Summary
- Health groups bring STI testing to community spaces.
- Manitoba faces a public health emergency for HIV.
- Outreach events aim to reduce testing stigma and fear.
Community health initiatives in Brandon are actively addressing rising sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) rates by bringing testing services beyond traditional clinical settings. An event held at Princess Park offered accessible testing and education, aiming to mitigate the stigma and fear often linked to formal healthcare spaces.
Manitoba's public health emergency concerning HIV, declared in May, highlights the urgency of these efforts. The Prairie Mountain Health region, which includes Brandon, has seen a significant increase in HIV cases, reaching 96 in 2025, up from 44 in 2024.
Organizers emphasize the importance of community connections and providing 'tools to stay safer.' These wellness fairs, held approximately monthly, offer a range of tests including for hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, alongside immunizations.
By treating individuals with kindness and respect, these community-led initiatives foster an environment where people feel more comfortable seeking essential health services, ultimately contributing to the fight against infection spread.
