Whitman-Walker’s Post

Did you know that HIV continues to have a disproportionate impact on Black Americans? In the United States, Black individuals accounted for nearly half of the HIV diagnoses in 2021, despite only making up 12% of the population. It’s crucial to increase awareness and take action to end this epidemic. Here are three key facts to understand about HIV:   HIV progresses through three phases: acute infection, chronic infection, and AIDS. Early detection and timely treatment are essential to prevent transmission and improve outcomes.   PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medication that can reduce the chances of HIV infection by up to 99% when used correctly. However, accessing PrEP remains a challenge for many Black individuals due to barriers such as stigma, poverty, and lack of transportation.   Free HIV testing is available nationwide. It’s important to get tested at least once a year if you’ve had risky sexual encounters or shared drug injection equipment. HIV tests are widely accessible through healthcare providers, local health departments, and online or local drug stores. What are your thoughts on the current state of HIV awareness and prevention? Let us know in the comments below. Remember, knowledge and action are key to combatting this ongoing public health issue. Stay informed and encourage others to do the same. Together, we can make a difference.    Read the full story Alexa Spencer from Word in Black at dallasweekly.com #iamdw #blackpress #HIVPrevention #HealthEquity #EndTheEpidemic #KnowYourStatus @Word In Black

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

Did you know that pregnant people are three times more likely to acquire HIV through sexual intercourse than non-pregnant individuals of the same age? Thankfully, a new st study presented at the 2024 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections has shown that a monthly dapivirine vaginal ring and daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can effectively prevent HIV transmission during pregnancy! In this multi-country study conducted in South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, the Microbicide Trials Network found that both the dapivirine vaginal ring and oral PrEP with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine were safe for use by pregnant cisgender women who started in their second trimester. This is incredibly important considering the unique challenges pregnant individuals face when it comes to HIV prevention. #KeyTakeaways: >==> A study conducted in South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe found that the monthly dapivirine vaginal ring and daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) were both safe for HIV prevention in pregnant cisgender women. >==> Pregnant individuals are estimated to be three times more likely to acquire HIV through sexual intercourse than those who are not pregnant. >==> The study included 248 pregnancies, and no study participants acquired HIV. The trends and complications observed in the pregnancies were similar to a reference dataset of over 10,000 deliveries. This breakthrough not only offers hope for pregnant individuals at high risk of acquiring HIV but also has enormous implications for public health globally. It underscores the importance of supporting research and innovation to develop effective interventions that address the unique needs and challenges faced by different populations. #JoinTheDiscussion: What are your initial reactions to this research? How do you think this breakthrough will impact the field of HIV prevention moving forward? Share your thoughts below! Remember to #Comment, #Like, #Share, & #Follow Dr. David Mwin for more engaging Scientific/ Medical Insights that Impact our Lives! #Source: https://lnkd.in/gbxkCFKj

PROTECT YOUR HEALTH, PROTECT YOUR LIFE. Tips for People living with HIV and AIDS and Those Who are HIV-Negative. People living with HIV and AIDS can enjoy healthy and fulfilling lives with appropriate medical care and support. Here are some key strategies for maintaining safety and health for both individuals with HIV and those who are HIV-negative: For Individuals Living with HIV/AIDS: 1. Consistent Medical Care: Regular check-ups and antiretroviral therapy (ART) help manage the virus, keep it at low levels, and enhance overall health. 2. Medication Adherence: Following prescribed medication regimens can make the virus undetectable, greatly reducing the risk of transmission. 3. Healthy Living: A balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol can boost the immune system. 4. Mental Health Support: Accessing counseling or support groups can aid in managing the emotional aspects of living with HIV. 5. Transparent Communication: Sharing HIV status with partners and practicing safer sex helps prevent transmission. For HIV-Negative Individuals: 1. Regular Testing: Regular HIV testing is crucial, especially if engaging in high-risk behaviors. 2. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): PrEP can significantly lower the risk of HIV infection. 3. Safe Practices: Consistent and correct use of condoms during sex reduces the risk of HIV and other STIs. 4. Limit Sexual Partners: Reducing the number of partners can decrease the risk of exposure to HIV. 5. Ongoing Education: Staying informed about HIV transmission, prevention, and maintaining open conversations with partners is essential. Achievable Souls Community Support Initiative is here to offer you resources, education, and support for both individuals with HIV and those who are HIV-negative. Happy New Month of August #staysafe #consistentmedicalcare #healthyliving #safepractice #regulartesting

https://lnkd.in/d5jSidt8 I came across this link via X and I thought I'd share something about (PreP) today. The question that lingers in my head is do we consider this reckless or do they actually care about their health? Read and let's engage Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a crucial component in the management of HIV, offering a proactive approach to preventing the transmission of the virus among "high-risk populations". This intervention involves the use of antiretroviral medications by individuals who are HIV-negative but at *substantial* risk of infection. By adhering to a prescribed PrEP regimen, individuals can significantly reduce their chances of acquiring HIV. The implementation of PrEP not only contributes to individual health outcomes but also plays a vital role in achieving universal healthcare goals. By preventing new HIV infections, PrEP helps reduce the burden on healthcare systems, decreasing the need for costly HIV treatment and long-term care. Furthermore, the widespread adoption of PrEP can lead to a decrease in HIV transmission rates, ultimately contributing to the overall public health and well-being of communities. In the pursuit of universal healthcare coverage, integrating PrEP into existing healthcare systems can enhance access to preventive services and promote health equity among diverse populations. By prioritizing the availability and affordability of PrEP, policymakers and healthcare providers can work towards ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographical location, have access to this life-saving intervention. Embracing PrEP as a cornerstone of HIV management not only improves individual health outcomes but also advances the collective goal of achieving universal healthcare for all. #PHC #UHC #MOH #Familyhealth

When will this change....we continue to fight the same fight.... Global access for HIV prevention  HIV prevention has made huge progress, especially with preexposure prophylaxis — aka PrEP — a game-changer that helps stop infections before they start. The most common form is a daily pill for people at high risk, but global uptake has been slower than expected. By 2023, only 3.5 million people were using PrEP, far from the 2025 goal of 10 million. Daily pills can be a hassle and stigma still exists, so researchers are developing new options such as injectables, patches, and implants. The dapivirine vaginal ring, approved by the World Health Organization in 2021, offers a discreet, female-initiated option. Another breakthrough is cabotegravir, or CAB-LA, an injectable that’s 79% more effective than the daily pill and only needs to be taken every eight weeks. Gilead’s lenacapavir, the twice-a-year HIV-prevention superstar, has also shown 100% effectiveness in trials for women and girls. The challenge? Accessibility. While CAB-LA was approved in the U.S. in 2021, many in sub-Saharan Africa still can’t get it. Activists are pushing Gilead to speed up access to lenacapavir, arguing that "100% effectiveness demands 100% access." Making these lifesaving tools available globally is crucial to winning the fight against HIV. #globalhealth #hiv #prevention

AIDS United’s Fryda Enriquez Pedraza presented an insightful workshop in Spanish at the Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit. The session delved into the stark reality revealed by CDC statistics: Hispanic/Latino individuals, despite representing only 19% of the US population, accounted for 29% of HIV diagnoses. This disproportion highlighted the urgent need to address systemic barriers hindering access to HIV prevention and treatment within Spanish-speaking communities. During the workshop, a comprehensive exploration of HIV prevention, along with its intricate interactions with drug and alcohol use, hepatitis, and equitable access to health care, was embarked upon. Through discussions and shared experiences, a deeper understanding of the multifaceted barriers impeding HIV prevention efforts among Latino populations was fostered, along with a focus on advancing preventative efforts like PrEP. Historical and contemporary examples of community-led interventions were delved into, uncovering invaluable insights into how these initiatives have reshaped engagement with the medical system. The evolution of the community's response to HIV, from the activism of generations past to the grassroots efforts of today, was traced, highlighting both current successes and challenges. Check out #StopHIVTogether resources in Spanish here: https://lnkd.in/eJjQY9i6

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

Tune in on September 19th to Gustavo Adolfo Morales Correa's webinar on addressing HIV disparities in the Latino and Hispanic communities. The west cost, continues to witness glaring inequities in PrEP uptake, regardless of Medicaid expansion, and a plethora of State-level legislation that has minimized barriers on the coverage side. The low utilization of biomedical interventions such as PrEP for HIV prevention points to what many of us have known long before access laws came into play, that legislation that increases access alone is not enough and will not singlehandedly address the HIV epidemic. _______________________________________________________________ Please join me (or help spread the word) for an insightful hashtag #webinar that delves into the unique challenges and disparities faced by hashtag #Hispanic and hashtag #Latino communities in the fight against hashtag #HIV. Despite overall declines in HIV infection rates, Latinos continue to experience disproportionately high rates of new diagnoses, particularly in the hashtag #Southeast. We'll explore the systemic, cultural, and economic barriers—such as hashtag #racism, l#anguage barriers, and hashtag #medicalmistrust —that contribute to these disparities, and discuss why hashtag #publichealth efforts often fall short in addressing the needs of this diverse population. The webinar will also highlight successful community-based strategies and interventions, including culturally competent care models and the importance of access to prevention tools like hashtag #PrEP. Whether you're a healthcare provider, advocate, or community leader, this session will provide valuable insights and practical approaches to help improve HIV outcomes for Latinos. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eJYJvQX7

🧵 On National HIV/AIDS and Ageing Awareness Day 2024, we’re shining a light on the critical issue of late HIV diagnosis among older adults. 🌍 Across the globe, people aged 50+ are more likely to be diagnosed late with HIV than younger individuals. In fact, CDC data reveals that nearly a third of older adults receive a late diagnosis—missing out on opportunities for early intervention and treatment. 🛑 Late diagnosis leads to delayed treatment, which can weaken the immune system, increase the risk of serious diseases and contribute to further transmission. 🔬 A UK study from 2023 uncovered key barriers to HIV testing in this age group, including outdated knowledge, stigma and misconceptions around aging and HIV risk. So, what can we do? ✅ Tailor health promotion to older adults, emphasising treatment benefits and U=U (Undetectable = Untransmissible).  ✅ Expand universal HIV screening (beyond traditional age limits)  ✅ Use tech to prompt testing, like automatic reminders in health records.  ✅ Normalise conversations about sexual health and substance use. ✅ Promote HIV self-testing. ✅ Discuss the pros and cons of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in people at high risk of HIV infection.   It's time to break down these barriers and ensure older adults receive the care they deserve. #HIVAgingAwareness #EndHIVStigma #LateDiagnosis #HIVAging #NationalHIVAIDSAwarenessDay 👇 References in the comments below.