Whitman-Walker’s Post

More than half of the 1 million Americans living with HIV are over 50, according to the most recent data. And about one third of those 55 and older were diagnosed for the first time when they already had a late-stage HIV infection. But bias against individuals with HIV can impact their access to the health care and services they need. For older adults, a positive HIV diagnosis can, for instance, increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, dementia, frailty and some cancers. But some providers may deny services to people with HIV, including admission to long-term care facilities. At least five states—California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Oregon—ban discrimination against people with HIV in health care facilities, including nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, assisted living homes and long-term care facilities. Some cities and counties, including San Francisco and Montgomery County, Maryland, do too. https://lnkd.in/emeETVQ8

Today is HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day! SAGE is proud to recognize the resilience of long-term survivors with #HIV and share their journeys and challenges. If you're interested in learning more about HIV and #aging, I recommend reading a new piece by Terri L. Wilder, MSW and Emma Bessire in the American Society on Aging's journal Generations. You can read the piece here: https://lnkd.in/gp4vFVyS #HLTSAD

I agree, SBC is not another vertical program nor should it be viewed as an 'add-on' to an existing program. SBC is about designing programs with and for people most affected and involved, using behavioral and social science knowledge and thinking developed over decades, to improve quality, results and people's health and lives. Read this blog on JSI's commitment to mainstreaming behavioral science into HIV programs. It includes a link to a recent Nature article, as well as to a webinar recording on including boys and men in the HIV response. https://lnkd.in/dMDVU9zD

Black communities continue to be resilient in the HIV epidemic, with Black-led community organisations such as those in the One Voice Network leading the fight for representation, awareness, and investment into the UK’s Black communities. Following the release of the Unheard Voices report with One Voice Network and National AIDS Trust, our Senior Policy Officer Christina Ganotakis represented Naz and the One Voice Network on BBC Radio London radio, talking with Eddie Nestor and Oluwakemi Agunbiade from NAT about the concerning rise of #HIV within Black communities and how investment into Black-led community organisations can change the story. HIV has never been a single-issue story. Despite making up only 3% of the country’s population, Black communities accounted for 30% of new HIV diagnoses in the UK in 2022. We’ve seen a high prevalence of HIV in Black communities for decades, yet we lack targeted interventions that address misinformation, the lack of confidence in our health systems, and cultural awareness about the needs and disparities Black communities experience. Investing into Black-led community organisations who are leading the fight against pervasive attitudes and inequality is part of the wider solution. For far too long, Black communities have experienced higher rates of poverty, unemployment, poorer quality and access to healthcare because of systemic racism, bias, and discrimination. Our response to the HIV epidemic must interrogate wider, systemic inequalities across our health, social, and economic systems to achieve equitable outcomes and the 2030 goal to end all new HIV transmissions. Listen to the segment here (1:14:43): https://lnkd.in/e7WxDPQM

In the landscape of HIV prevention, a stark void exists in PrEP access and education, particularly among Black women. In this op-ed, we aim to illuminate this disparity by sharing personal experiences and highlighting missed opportunities for Black women to learn about and receive PrEP.

Today, I want to share a different aspect of my journey that intersects with my professional ethos and my commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Recently, I had the opportunity to contribute my voice to an important issue highlighted in the Winnipeg Free Press, focusing on the urgent need for Manitoba to cover HIV and HIV Prevention drug costs fully. As a senior software engineer, my work is often centered around building inclusive technologies and fostering environments where diversity thrives. This includes not just in the tech industry but also in the broader community we live in. My advocacy for DEI extends beyond the workplace into real-world issues affecting vulnerable populations, one of which is accessible healthcare, particularly around HIV prevention and treatment. The article discusses the ongoing challenge in Manitoba regarding the high costs associated with HIV medication, which remains a barrier for many. Having moved from B.C., where HIV prevention drugs are more accessible, I've experienced firsthand the stark difference in policies and their impact on individuals' lives. Bringing attention to this issue is not just about healthcare; it's about upholding the values of equity and inclusion, ensuring everyone has the necessary support and resources to lead healthy lives. It's a reminder that our efforts in DEI should encompass all aspects of society, advocating for changes that make a tangible difference. Through my involvement in various capacities, including as a member of the Crescentwood-Enderton Park Heritage Conservation District board and my professional work, I strive to contribute positively to our community's fabric. This experience has reinforced the importance of lending our voices to causes that matter and working together towards a more inclusive and equitable world. Let's continue to push boundaries, challenge the status quo, and ensure that our advocacy translates into meaningful action across all sectors. Together, we can make a difference. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eMYNMG7r #DEI #HealthcareEquity #HIVPrevention #CommunityAdvocacy #InclusiveTech

Prevention is better than cure!!!!! That’s what most people always say. However in some cases, this statement becomes particularly challenging especially when access to prevention (information, materials, services); is sparingly accessible. This is the case of vulnerable and or key populations arround the world. This article by FHI360 present the ways in which HIV prevention could be scaled up within people in most at risk populations in the US. Personally, I am of the opinion that research is universal. This masterpiece if adopted and implemented in an African context; particularly Cameroon where the use of medication to prevent HIV is still new and upcoming; it could yield tremendous results.Community base organization face great challenges in addressing PrEP uptake. Addressing barriers and increasing access to PrEP can go along way to bridge the gap of PrEP uptake which could positively impact the HIV cascade, reducing new infections hence bringing prevalence to check.

How do we reach the UK government's goal of ending HIV transmissions by 2030? Ultimately, the way to end HIV transmissions is to increase testing, therefore increasing diagnoses and treatment, thus ending transmissions altogether.   But before we do that, we must get the word out there and encourage people to get tested, especially if they’ve had unprotected sex!   If you work in the sexual health industry (or even if you don’t), here are some of the key things your organisation can do to increase the impact of National HIV testing Week and help end transmissions by 2030. 👇   📱Use your platform to spread awareness: Highlight the significance of this awareness campaign across your social media platforms by promoting regular HIV testing, reminding your followers to use condoms during sexual intercourse to prevent transmissions, and reassuring them they can live long and healthy lives with HIV using the right treatment. 📄Create inclusive workplace policies: It’s important to have an inclusive workplace where support is accessible to those living with HIV, staff are educated on the topic, and HIV awareness training is provided. If you think this sounds extreme, then perhaps you should know that over 45% of those living with HIV in the UK feel ashamed of their HIV status and more than 10% have not shared their HIV status with anyone other than their healthcare staff. This is why it’s so important to show support to all your staff and help break the stigma surrounding the virus. 🤝Collaborate with non-profit organisations and government agencies: By collaborating with other organisations, you will increase the reach of your campaign, whether that’s through sharing each other’s social media posts, organising a local event to raise awareness and promote regular HIV testing, or providing testing opportunities. If we work together, fight the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS, and encourage regular testing, we can certainly help end HIV transmissions by 2030! Click here for more information: https://lnkd.in/dQX86wN #NationalHIVTestingWeek #HIVTestingWeek #NHTW #NHTW2024 #HIV #HIVAwareness #HIVTesting #HIVPrevention #BreakTheStigma #SexualHealth #Healthcare #SexualWellness #Wellness #WellnessForAll

Quantifying the impact of strategies on community health and reducing health risk behaviors is crucial. Here are ways to measure and evaluate efficacy: 1. Health Outcomes - HIV Incidence and Prevalence: Track new HIV infections and overall prevalence. - Viral Suppression Rates: Measure percentage achieving viral suppression. - Mortality Rates: Monitor changes in HIV-related mortality. 2. Behavioral Changes - Testing Rates: Assess increase in HIV testing. - Condom Use. Evaluate changes in condom use. - Health-Seeking Behavior: Track healthcare visits for HIV services. 3. Stigma and Discrimination - Surveys and Interviews: Gauge attitudes towards people living with HIV. - Community Engagement: Measure participation in support groups. 4. Program Reach and Accessibility. - Service Utilization: Track people accessing health services. - Geographic Coverage: Assess service reach in underserved areas. 5. Economic and Social Impact: - Employment Rates: Monitor changes in employment among those living with HIV. - Educational Attainment: Track school attendance rates. 6.Policy and Systemic Changes: - Policy Implementation: Evaluate adoption of HIV prevention policies. - Funding Levels: Track changes in funding for HIV programs. By using these metrics, healthcare providers gain a comprehensive understanding of their impact. Regular monitoring ensures programs are effective and meet community needs.

"Pretty much all clients now are either texting or calling me on my cell phone. I have to be careful because clients now call me… for example, five o’clock on a Saturday". ▶ Responding to HIV Disruptions during the COVID-19 Pandemic 🚨 Publication Alert 🚨 Disruptions to HIV Services due to the COVID pandemic in the USA: a state-level stakeholder perspective (2024) After four years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our research team published the important qualitative stories of people working to end the HIV epidemic amidst the uncertainty of the early COVID-19 pandemic. Stakeholders of the Michigan HIV/AIDS Council provided detailed evidence of how they responded in their roles, lives, and beyond. Their innovations are building the next generation of response for HIV during periods of disruption, including the next pandemic. #hiv #community #publication #journal #covid19 #state #work #publichealth 📖 Take a read: