CHOOSING RESILIENCE IN ENDING THE HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC THIS WORLD AIDS DAY, SEEK TESTING, PREVENTIVE CARE, AND TREATMENT (Images and Content Courtesy of Care Resource)
D
ecember 1 is World AIDS Day and the theme for the 2020 observance is “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact.”
Care Resource remains committed to ending the HIV epidemic through prevention, testing, and treatment, and continues to work toward the national and collective effort of ending HIV. The health center realizes that although HIV may not be in the headlines right now, the epidemic is far from over. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Care Resource served as a lifeline for those seeking consistent and quality HIV/AIDS healthcare, as well as general care, while addressing the specific challenges of the pandemic. The health center continued to provide access to HIV/AIDS prevention methods, including PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (postexposure prophylaxis). Additionally, Care Resource implemented specific hotlines so individuals could directly connect with navigators to discuss their next steps. When needed, patients received emergency transportation to the health center via Uber Health.
Care Resource also established an at-home HIV testing program open to residents of Broward and Miami-Dade counties, in collaboration with local county health departments. Through this program, individuals could opt to receive their HIV testing kit at home and access a full counseling and testing session virtually. To support community members in the case of a reactive result, testing clients had the opportunity to access behavioral health services via telehealth. Care Resource’s compassionate and supportive team of counselors, linkage coordinators, and medical providers created a solid network for individuals who tested, providing essential access to a myriad of no-cost health screenings and quality linkage to care. These tools enable Care Resource to remain on the front line against COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS, prioritize wellness, and ensure access to essential care. This World AIDS Day, we encourage our community members to remain resilient, get tested for HIV, know their status, and reach out to Care Resource for HIV prevention, treatment, and educational services.
Scan the QR code for more information and delivery options for a no-cost at-home HIV test kit. About Care Resource Care Resource is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization and a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with four locations in Midtown Miami, Little Havana, Miami Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. The health center provides comprehensive health and support services to address the full health care needs of South Florida’s pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations. For more information visit www.CareResource.org.
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