AIDS

Mapping Pathways helps to develop and nurture communities in understanding around the adoption of antiretroviral-based prevention strategies to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It provides data and reccomendations to policymakers, leaders and activists all around the communities.

Take action and urge Gov. Quinn and the Illinois General Assembly to reverse IDPH's decision to restrict ADAP.
 
On April 15, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced plans to restrict access to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) to new applicants with incomes at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level ($32,670 for a single individual) beginning in July.  The current limit to qualify for Illinois ADAP is 500 percent of federal poverty ($54,450 for a single individual).
 
The announcement comes on the heels of two years of financial pressure on the program.  Record numbers of people with HIV became eligible and joined ADAP as a result of the economic downturn, high unemployment, and losses of private health insurance.  Illinois has struggled to keep its program solvent in the face of inadequate federal funding.  Nationally, nearly 8,000 people with HIV in 11 states are on ADAP waiting lists.

Click here to TAKE ACTION!

As I sit here, I can’t help but ask the question, “Just how did I find myself headed to Washington, DC to advise on public policy at the White House?” It’s been a whirlwind fall that all started with me applying for and being selected as a member of the newly formed IL Alliance for Sound AIDS Policy (IL ASAP), a group of statewide policy and advocacy leaders picked to increase community involvement in HIV/AIDS activities, and fight for fair policies for those living with and at risk for HIV and AIDS.

On November 12, 2009, IL ASAP was fortunate enough to take part in a National HIV/AIDS Strategy Focus Group.  Jeffery Crowley, Director of the White House Office of National Aids Policy and Senior Advisor of Disability Policy was the guest at the focus group and listened as community members spoke to issues that need to be addressed when forming the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.  I testified at the focus group meeting regarding the barriers facing transgender, women, and aging populations; I had a lot to say!

Project ASPIRE Seeking Participants
 

There is a reason why I consider myself a recovering Catholic – his name is Benedict.  Now don’t get me wrong, I think there are many wonderful Catholic organizations, priests and laity doing important work out there.

Mike Maginn, 54, and his father, Ray, 83, collect old refrigerators, washers, dryers, televisions and beds and deliver them to people pushed into poverty, some to the brink of homelessness, by HIV/AIDS.

The Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GYCA) recognizes the potential of young leaders as the best force to address AIDS in their own communities, and empowers them with the knowledge, skills, resources and opportunities they need to scale up and expand their initiatives.

David Holtgrave, a professor and founding chair of the Department of Health, Behavior and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, says he believes the new administration should invest more time and money on the prevention of HIV/AIDS in the United States. He recently shared his advice on a national HIV/AIDS strategy with President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team.

VACAVILLE, Calif. -- A controversial new pilot program providing free condoms for prison inmates is in its final planning stages.

The Solano State Prison is installing 10 condom distribution machines that will be stocked with 1,200 condoms a week. The hope is that the condoms will limit the spread of sexually transmitted diseases among inmates.