Bridging Access For Care ( Bac ) Is A Nonprofit Multi Service Community Based Organization Essay

“Let’s create an AIDS/HIV-free generation”, which is not only a slogan that was proposed by President Obama but also a goal that I would like to achieve on my future career path. My practicum project at the Department of Health and Human Services was to generate dataset of new AIDS/HIV cases in Houston/Harris area required by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and then to use ArcGIS software to make a map describing the new diagnosed in Houston area. The final products can be spatially lined to other sources to enhance understanding of social determinants of health affecting populations impacted by HIV. This practicum experience let me realize that AIDS spreads so quickly is because most people have insufficient knowledge or misconception about the disease and prevention. Becoming a pharmacist to provide prevention service and educate people to improve their health and wellbeing is how I want to reach the goal of creating an AIDS/HIV-free generation.

The Chicago Department of Public Health exemplifies a public health department that is extremely proactive and supportive of initiatives to eradicate or significantly decrease the incidence of HIV in the City of Chicago. To this end, the Chicago Department of Health monitors the incidences of new cases in the city, while constantly monitoring the progression or regression of the conditions of patients already affected by the HIV virus. Statistical data is collected through the avenue set up for health care providers to report all pertinent information about newly diagnosed HIV or an unusual turn of events with old HIV cases. furthermore, the Chicago Department of Public health ( CDPH) through its monitoring programs is able to identify threats, determine which health care services are need in a community and the target population. For example, in the month of November, their target segments were gays and bisexual African American men because both groups were disproportionately impacted by the HIV outbreak during the previous summer. Impressively, the CDPH has links to addresses where HIV testing is done free of charge and reports are confidential. Most importantly, the result is shared with the department to help the department further enhance the efficiency of the HIV task force of the CDPH. Furthermore, the CDPH is very efficient in the dissemination of information either through links on their website, advertisement, or pamphlets to name a few. Moreover,

HIV is highly prevalent among the United States population, primarily affecting African Americans of all economic levels and age groups. HIV is transmissible through sexual contact and damages the immune system as it interferes with the individual’s capability to fight off any infections or illnesses. Health inequalities that greatly affect the high rates of HIV include but are not limited to: higher rates of poverty, lack of awareness, intercourse within the same sex, having anxiety towards getting tested for STD’s or HIV, as well as being fearful of “coming out”. Local, state, and nationwide organizations are designed to inform and provide assistance to those who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. S.A.A.F. (Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation)

AIDS is a worldwide epidemic that has affected and is affecting millions of people. Even though it was not discovered until 1982 many stereotypes have come along with it. Mary Fisher is an AIDS community member and is not afraid to stand up and say so. Defending and helping those with HIV/AIDS and helping them spread the word instead of keeping silent. In 1991 she found out that she had contracted the disease from her second husband and now Fisher is one of the world’s leading activists in the fight against HIV/AIDS. (Newman, 2010)

Though the disease is still infecting many, new technology and medical techniques that include medication have made it possible to live a normal life after being infected with the HIV virus. Doctors are now far past the era in which they would deny care to an HIV-positive patient and that is because they are aware of the disease and are not afraid. Being afraid of something can unknowingly turn a person into a monster. Since being educated doctors and other healthcare professionals have been able to turn a new leaf and hop over to the supporting side of AIDS. Other than being under a doctor’s care, successful strategies for combating AIDS include “increasing awareness about prevention strategies such as using clean needles and condoms and, most recently, promoting male circumcision” (Conley 442). All these biological measures combating the chemical nature of AIDS work hand in hand to reform the social structure of the disease. Those living with AIDS in the United States today are not looked at as if they are lepers, instead they are view as survivors and

In the United States, HIV (infection) has changed remarkably over the past 30 years. According to CDC.gov “At the end of 2013, 498,400 African Americans were living with HIV (40% of everyone living with HIV in the US), and 1 in 8 did not know they were infected.” More than 44,000 people were diagnosed with HIV in 2014. HIV is currently a disease of greater demographic diversity, affecting all ages, sexes, race and involves various transmission risk behaviors. At least 50,000 new HIV infections will continue to be added each year, however, one-fifth of persons with new infections may not know they are infected, and a substantial proportion of those who know they are infected are not engaged in HIV care. It is tragic that there are a huge number

It was interesting to learn that the young lady working for the clean works organization was formally an intravenous drug user by which she admirably commented on how the organization has changed her life for the better and by volunteering her time at clean works it has given her the opportunity to help others. While, I was in charge of running the clean works mobile unit I distributed educational brochures, contraceptives, and other items to reduce harm and increase client safety in the community. Taking into consideration that HIV is spread by having unprotected sex and/or sharing needles or syringes with someone who is infected, I felt very productive in knowing that I was providing valuable services to reduce the rate of infection. With my current knowledge surrounding the issue of HIV/ STD’s, the company was able to benefit from this service. At the end of the day, I met the Theoretical Base for Practice by reaching out to the community to educate and provide information that I have learned from research and in NURS 340. Previous learning experience on HIV and it’s prevalence in the community has heightened my awareness about the disease. Knowing the prevalence of HIV and how it is spread to others, is crucial in providing education to the

An important point, the continuing public health threat of HIV/AIDS is multi-dimensional; thus, not resolvable by an individual organization. Hence, the reason collaborative bonds are crucial. Ending HIV/AIDS requires the efforts of the federal, state and local governments, state health departments, community organizations, primary care providers, linkage to testing, treatment, and

In total 54 studies with information on linkages to HIV care were reviewed. Of these, 6 referenced health departments, 12 were program related documents, 1 surveillance report from CDC and others were published peer-reviewed literature. Articles ranged from 2001 to 2015 and included program assessment or evaluations, longitudinal studies, cross-sectional studies, and policy briefs. Programs and interventions targeted populations at higher risk of exposure to HIV/AIDS including persons living with HIV/AIDS, incarcerated persons either in or out of prison. None of the titles of the study included engagement of “local health departments” and “linkage to care”, however, 23 titles included the word link or linkages to care. 13 studies evaluated

To combat this disease, AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia offers specialized care management to the newly diagnosed, and those who have fallen out of care. At AmeriHealth Caritas DC, we are making great strides within our HIV/AIDS component (Positive Pathways). Specialized care management is an essential part of the program. The program enrolls members that are HIV positive. Positive Pathways community health outreach workers provide specialized care management to our members for a year to ensure they are going to the doctors and taking their medication. More specifically, our members are linked to care, and provided with resources.

The rate of new infections has been relatively stable each year, but 20% of people are unaware they are infected with HIV 3. This greatly increases the risk of HIV transmission with 50% of new HIV cases resulting from those who are unaware of their status 13. At risk populations include Latinos, Blacks, and MSM with 44% of new cases occurring in Blacks and 75% in men 14. With the establishment of the goals for 2020, the White House released a National HIV/AIDS strategy focusing on reducing the number of new cases, increasing access and improving outcomes for HIV positive people, and reducing the disparity in infection 4. The United States healthcare system is based on reactive medicine and the adoption of Cuba’s HIV/AIDS prevention programs would be a necessary step for addressing the epidemic in our

The program in which I am performing my internship serves people diagnosed with HIV. The clients are referred by the primary care physician because they have difficulty keeping appointments; or receive irregular or have never been in care and have indications of ART (antiretroviral therapy) challenges. We assist them with health promotion. Also we mitigate and address any barrier or difficulty the client might have that impede the improvement of their medical

HIV is a personal experience, but too often HIV care is seen as the burden of the individual, a situation that the person brought on themselves (Melton, 2011). However, one's personal experience is often larger than just the individual. The burden of finding relevant HIV information and care should never be placed solely on the shoulders of those grappling with the disease and the stigma attached to it. Just as social constructions and institutional inadequacies have gotten HIV positive black women to the point where they must find support within their own community, the repair of those institutions and rejection of those social constructions will aid HIV positive black women. The resilience of black women and what they have learned just by talking to each other will be crucial in the success of HIV programming, which should rely on an understanding of medicine and as well as an appreciation of the lived experiences of black women living with HIV. Black women, HIV programs, medical professionals, and even lawmaking bodies can and should work together to disseminate knowledge and form the best possible plan of action to reach HIV positive black women (Purcell & McCree, 2009). HIV outreach is not a zero-sum game; in order to achieve lower rates of HIV and more knowledge in the hands of HIV positive black women, cooperation is truly

AIDS, initially seen as a terminal illness, has transitioned to a chronic disease for those patients who are able to use antiretroviral therapy and despite the advancements in HIV therapies, around 15,000 to 16,000 persons still die from HIV in the United States each year. (Alexander, Back, & Collins, 2004, p. 5). These numbers are still low in comparison with the epidemic in the early years, but persons living with HIV still continue to experience pain, infections, and other physical and emotional symptoms that impact their life in a negative way forcing them to shift into less aggressive care (O'Neill, Selwyn, & Schientinger). Being a hospice case manager for over 4 years has given me the opportunity to take care of a few HIV patients that

Hergenrather, K. C., Rhodes, S. D., & Clark, G. (June 01, 2006). Windows to Work: Exploring Employment–Seeking Behaviors of Persons with HIV/AIDS Through Photovoice. Aids Education and Prevention, 18, 3, 243-258.