According to recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 1.2 million individuals in the United States have HIV (about 14 percent of which are unaware of their infection and another 1.1 million have progressed to AIDS. Over the past decade, the number of HIV cases in the US has increased, however, the annual number of cases remains stable at about 50, 000 new cases per year. Within these estimates, certain groups tend to carry the burden of these disease, particularly the gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (MSM) and among race/ethnic groups, Blacks/African American males remain disproportionately affected. (CDC)
I interviewed Dr. Kwa Sey who is an epidemiologist with the Los Angeles County department of Public Health and the Director of the International Health Program at Charles R. Drew University (CDREWU). Dr. Sey earned his M.A. in epidemiology and a PhD in Public Health from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) school of Public Health. He has over 16 years of experience working in Public Health. He currently directs CDREWU funded HIV Behavioral Surveillance in Los Angeles and DHAPP funded HIV prevention programs internationally.
Running head: HIV/AIDS in African Americans 1 HIV/AIDS in November 15, 2012 Research, Definition, and Statement of HIV/AIDS African-Americans are the ethnic group most affected by HIV/AIDS. Ironically african-americans represent 14% of the population of the United States , but represent 44% across the gender line. African-american men represent 70% of HIV infections among the ethnic group, however african-american women are also highly at risk of HIV infection. Indeed they have a rate of infection that is 15 times greater than the rate for caucasion women (HIV among African-Americans, 2012). Most African-american women (85%) are infected with HIV through heterosexual sex, often with partners, who claim to be
The purpose of this dissertation isto assess the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) care continuum. This dissertationwill focuson addressing the gap in current research by improving understanding of the impacts of the ACA on care for individuals living with HIV. It is estimated that over 1 million Americans live with HIV (Kates, 2012). Though the number of HIV infections has stabilized at around 50,000 annually, there are reports of new strains of HIV arising among homosexuals (Kates, 2012). People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are less likely to be insured due to low socio-economic status (SES), therefore, rely on Medicaid for insurance coverage. Statistics indicate that only 25% of PLWHA are virally
Health is a state of well being, and ideally, in an equal society, all people should be provided with the necessary tools to maintain that state of health. Ideals are mere fantasies, however, since even the most developed countries fall victim to health inequities. These inequities are avoidable inequalities in
Abstract Human Immunodefiency Virus has become all too common in my hometown Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Rapidly this city has taken the number one spot leading the nation cases per capita of 100,000 people, according to Rene Taylor, Executive Director of Family Services of Greater Baton Rouge. (Feb., 2018). Baton Rouge holds its highest HIV cases in the North Baton Rouge area, where African Americas account for 95% of the residents. Studies show that age, poverty and education level is concurrent with most people infected with the virus. Baton Rouge has many organizations and government funded programs for all residents but coherence is proven to be low. Therefore, I posed the question: How do we decrease the HIV percental in Baton Rouge? I suggest we decrease the HIV epidemic in Baton Rouge by first, providing mandatory Education and statistics about the virus. Secondly, promoting
African Americans have worst health outcomes of all major racial, ethnic and demographic groups in the U.S. According to Gaston & Alleyne-Green (2013), an estimated 233,624 African Americans died from AIDS-related illness in 2007, yet they are less likely to receive antiretroviral medications, are more likely to report poor adherence to medication regimens, and have a disproportionally higher HIV-related morbidity and mortality rate than their White and Hispanic
The prevalence of HIV in the African American community is unmatched by any other population. African Americans accounted for 49% of all HIV related deaths in 2010 (CDC, 2014). In my specialty area of family practice, I have encountered only one non-minority patient with HIV; all others have been African-American. This population needs to be of high consideration for disease education. African Americans are typically unaware of resources available to prevent the transmission of this disease, as well as testing available to them in their communities. African American children, especially, are at greater risk for HIV due to lack of knowledge and earlier age of engaging in sexual intercourse. They are typically unaware that their behavior can yield such a negative outcome (CDC, 2012). Many urban schools lack proper funding to accommodate a sexual education curriculum. It is of increased importance to raise awareness, educate and provide a plan of care for the African American teenage and adult population, as the incidence of this disease rises daily.
The Community is defined based on individual perception. It is often described as societal structure which recognized individuals or groups of people living together; people in a particular environment. However, it also reflects groups of people who share a common interest; neighborhoods, housing are communities within a large physical environment.
One’s community plays a huge role in their health behaviors. The African-American community must provide better opportunities and options for the homosexual men within their communities. Wishfully thinking, there should be a leader from every community that will be in charge of improving HIV/AIDS within their own neighborhoods/communities. Having someone with a personal connection to the community is a great asset because they know exactly what is going on and what will work and what will not.
I worked directly with the HIV/AIDS population as well as individuals whose behaviors place them at high risk for becoming infected. I am currently the Supervisor for the AIDS Institute Linkage and Navigation Program where I am responsible for overseeing the delivery of services. These services encompass but are not limited to entitlements, referral to agencies that assist with identifying appropriate housing, referral to medical, mental health and substance use services. I also, oversee treatment adherence services which support clients in their readiness to begin (ARV) antiretroviral therapy and maintain adherence to their prescribed medication for treatment for HIV/AIDS.
INTRODUCTION “Everyone practices harm reduction, whether they see it or not. When you put on a seat belt…You are practicing harm reduction,” said Evelyn Milan pointedly as we started our interview. Evelyn works for Vocal-NY which is, at its base, an Advocacy organization for those who have a history of AIDS. Vocal-NY was once New York City AIDS Housing Network. Their formation was at a time when addressing root causes like homelessness and poverty was going out of style and incrimination was becoming the focus. Vocal-NY’s mission has remained true to the original intent. The original focus was on progressive housing that assured that all people living with AIDS could find affordable homes. Their advocacy has come out of this and focuses on assuring that affordable housing is a focus of the state and city administration.
The Chicago Department of Public health exemplifies a public health department that is extremely proactive and supportive of initiatives to eradicate or significantly decreasing the incidence of STI/HIV /AIDS 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 it monitoring programs is able identify threats, determine which health care services is need by 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,
HIV is a detrimental disease in the African-American community. During the 1980s HIV was on the rise as many people were uneducated about the virus itself and how the virus was contracted. Precious contracted HIV from her mother's boyfriend, which is more difficult to handle when you live in a
This paper is about the evaluation of the 10 essential Public Health Services and how they can be helpful in the prevention of HIV in communities across the nation. In addition, the paper depicts how the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has been able to incorporate the 10 essential public health services in its fight against HIV disease. The paper will discuss the assessment of the HIV disease situation in Chicago neighborhoods; policy development by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the assurance that solutions to priority problems are based on scientific evidence. Furthermore, the interconnection of the various essential public health service in the prevention and treatment of HIV and the support the department has for the families of their resident that are afflicted with HIV virus will be discussed. Finally, an inferred conclusion will be drawn from my research about the efficiency of the Chicago Department of Public Health and their incorporation of the 10 essential public health functions in their services to those HIV-positive residents in the city of Chicago.