Phone App To Help Assess HIV Risk

You’ve likely heard the saying “there’s an app for that.â€? Now there is a smartphone application that can help assess HIV risk. AIDS Resource Center Ohio helped develop the application that’s available for Android and Iphone smartphones. The free application targets young people who account for 27 percent of all new HIV diagnosis in Ohio. Ohio AIDS Coalition director Tyler TerMeer said callers seeking information on HIV and STDs for some time have asked to get resources online or on their phones. “I think with so many young people and the general population using their smartphone as a primary resource for how they’re getting information that this new application will really be an opportunity for folks in a much more real-time to access this type of info," TerMeer said. It took only a second to search HIV Risk Meter on my smartphone, and about a minute to download it. It asks three very personal questions about sexual activity, and then it offers an HIV risk level. The application also provides resources on HIV and STD prevention, testing locations and where to get condoms. TerMeer noted the application protects privacy and does not collect personal information. It was funded by a grant from the Ohio Department of Health.