Covenant House Inc

Fy 2021 Ending the Hiv Epidemic - Primary Care Hiv Prevention - Project Abstract the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Estimates More Than 1.1 Million Adults and Adolescents Are Living With the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the United States and 18% of Persons Living With Hiv Are Not Aware of Their Status. the Epidemic Continues to Have a Disproportionate Impact on Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations – Particularly African Americans and Hispanics – and on Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) and Injection Drug Users (idus), Regardless of Race or Ethnicity. When the Epidemic Appeared in 1981, Aids Was Perceived as a Deadly Disease That Was Transmissible From Person to Person, as Well as Strongly Associated With Historically Disenfranchised Groups and Culturally and Historically Taboo Issues Such as Sexual Orientation, Drug Use, and Commercial Sex Work. the Combination of These Factors Led to Societal Hostility as Well as Slow Response by State and Federal Governments. Although Both Knowledge of Hiv/aids and Government Responses Have Increased, the Stigma Persists More Than 30 Years Later. Covenant House Incorporated Proposes to Increase the Number of Patients Who Have Been Counseled and Assessed for Hiv, Prescribed Prep, and Linked to Hiv Care and Treatment Within 30 Days of the Diagnosis. This Community Intervention Will Also Serve to Destigmatize Hiv Testing and Revitalize the Discourse About Hiv Within This Community. Chi Fights Hiv Project Will Consist of a Multidisciplinary Team Which Will Be Led by an Infectious Disease Provider. the Team Will Consist of a Medical Assistant, Social Worker, Case Manager, Mental Health Provider, Nutritionist, Dentist, Substance Use Disorder Provider, Pharmacist and Driver. Chi Fights Hiv Project Will Use Grant Funding to Enhance Our Primary Care Capabilities With the Addition of a Holistic Infectious Disease Team. the Team Will Serve as the Core of Our Initiative to Increase Hiv Testing, Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Hiv Patients in the Northwest Corridor of Philadelphia. the Chi Fights Hiv Team Will Link Hiv Patients and Families With Services Needed to Improve Patient Outcomes to Include Behavioral Health, Oral Health, and Nutrition. a High Component of the Project Will Be the Role of the Social Worker and Case Manager. the Roles of These Two Individuals Will Include Ensuring All Necessary Needs of Hiv Patients and Their Families Are Addressed (i.e., Housing, Transportation, Substance Abuse Counseling, Etc.). to Increase Testing, Our Community Partnerships Will Serve as Our Outreach Team to Interact With Residents Within Their Homes. Chi Has Been a Trusted Member of the Community for Over 57 Years and Will Build on Existing Relationships to Address Barriers That Prevent Residents From Seeking Care Early.