In Iiving Color and More

The Living and Affected Corporation commends the various intergovernmental agencies that have partnered with our organization in the fight to eliminate health disparities in people of color communities and among marginalized populations. It has been a distinct part of our mission to offer testing opportunities as well as direct information within the Black MSM sector. Through our organization we have championed the issue of social determinants impact on individuals on their quest to access care. Our H.E.F.T.E. concept, outlines that housing, educations, food, treatment and equality are components that have to be apart of the holistic approach in the care continuum. We stand on the premise that we must embrace a person from a whole perspective and not define them from disease vantage point. It is our vision to fostering a Wellness Institute that will serve a clearinghouse of care, social justice concerns and a source of critical thinking concerning the equity of the health care paradigm. Please feel free to contribute to our efforts through purchasing our publications or forwarding a tax-exempt donation through our web portal: www.livingaffected.org


Eliminating Disparities in HIV/AIDS

By J. Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCE, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health (Acting), Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

As we commemorate National Minority Health Month during April, we recognize that this is truly a moment of unprecedented opportunity for health equity – including equity in HIV prevention and care.
One year after the launch of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’ first-ever Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities and the National Partnership for Action’s National Stakeholder Strategy for Achieving Health Equity, the Federal government is embracing a renewed commitment to health equity.
One area of importance is reducing disparities in HIV infection and care for racial and ethnic minorities, who accounted for almost 71 percent of newly diagnosed cases of HIV infection in 2010 among adults and adolescents in the 46 states with mature HIV reporting, according to CDC’s latest data. While blacks represent 12 percent of the population of the 46 states, for instance, they accounted for 46 percent of new HIV diagnoses in 2010. Latinos, who represent about 16 percent of the population, accounted for 20 percent of new HIV diagnoses that year. In addition, while they represent much smaller shares of newly diagnosed HIV infections, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacific Islanders were diagnosed with HIV at higher rates than their white counterparts in 2010, according to the CDC’s 2010 HIV Surveillance Report. (HIV/AIDS rates among Asian Americans are lower than those found in any other racial and ethnic group.)
The fight against these disparities has drawn momentum since the release of the National

J. Nadine Gracia

HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). Released by the President in July 2010, the NHAS declares that “a national response to the HIV epidemic needs to be mindful of the size, diversity, and richness of our country, as well as the needs of the most affected communities. The NHAS not only represents the nation’s first-ever comprehensive HIV strategy; it is also the first time that HIV-related disparities have been acknowledged at such a high level, and targeted with strategies focused on support for underserved communities. The Office of Minority Health is proud to be among the agencies and offices across HHS working together to provide a more coordinated response to HIV/AIDS in the United States.
Meanwhile, the Affordable Care Act is helping to ensure better care for people living with HIV/AIDS. With greater options for stable, affordable health insurance coverage; protection from insurance company abuses; and increased opportunities for health and well-being, people living with HIV/AIDS will benefit from a health care system that puts consumers first.
Most recently, HHS announced the availability of $15 million in funding for community-based organizations across the country that provide care and critical services to people living with HIV and AIDS through both supplemental and new funding in the Ryan White program. By improving and increasing access to care for people living with HIV, this initiative will help to reduce HIV-related health disparities – a critical objective in the implementation of the NHAS.
And at the Office of Minority Health, we are developing policies and programs to address the burden of HIV/AIDS on communities of color. For instance, our HIV/AIDS Health Improvement for Re-Entering Ex-Offenders (HIRE) Initiative seeks to bridge HIV-related health care gaps by linking HIV-positive ex-offenders who are re-entering the mainstream population to comprehensive health care and case management services.
But even as these initiatives spur progress, one thing is clear: realizing our vision of an AIDS-free generation will depend on far more than leadership by government agencies. In the fight against the national HIV epidemic, everyone is a stakeholder. And everyone can take action.
This year, we have designated the theme for Minority Health Month to be “Health Equity Can’t Wait: Act Now in Your CommUNITY!” – a call to action for stakeholders everywhere to join in raising awareness about health disparities and health equity. To find out more, and join in the movement, visit http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/actnow/.

Breaking the Surface of Living

The Living and Affected Corporation in an effort to ensure the latest and breaking news concerning HIV/AIDS is distributed, we often use our partnership with AIDS United to provide such news. The following except from their official media piece contains viable information important to our readers, clients, allies and supporters at large. As a public service, The Living and Affected Corporation encourages local agencies, community based organizations, faith based and non-governmental groups to forward their news releases and updates to our e-mail for reposting in this forum. LA Corp believes that "news and information is power," and it is our vision to continue to stream this information to as many as possible. This open forum is available for solicitations of editorials, opinion pieces, personal narratives, and creative compositions. If you are interested in sharing such works, please forward them to: info@lacorponline.org 

Health Care Conference CallsThe final session of a series of conference calls on the health care reform law will be hosted by the Health and Human Services (HHS) Partnership Center. The following session is available to the public; to sign up for the session use the link below.
Health Care Law and Health Care Disparities (in Spanish) - April 24 at 2:00 pm
Participants can submit questions to be answered during the call by emailing ACA101@hhs.gov.
Webinar: Health Care Reform for People with HIV: Make it Work for your State
HealthCareReform.org will be hosting the webinar “Health Care Reform for People with HIV: Make it Work for your State” on Thursday, April 26th at 2:30 PM ET. The webinar will discuss the decisions states will have to make regarding health care reform and how HIV advocates can make an impact.
To learn more click here. To register for the webinar, click here.


Phil Wilson to Present AIDS 2012 Plenary Address: “The US Epidemic”; Calls for Input from Community

The International AIDS Society announced that Phill Wilson, CEO of the Black AIDS Institute, will be giving the plenary address at AIDS 2012 on the US HIV Epidemic. The Black AIDS Institute, the National Minority AIDS Council, and the HIV Prevention Justice Alliance will be hosting a national conference call on April 30th, 2 PM ET to give you the opportunity to provide insight and input to Phill Wilson for the plenary address. More calls will be scheduled in the upcoming weeks and there is also an opportunity to submit ideas in writing.
To register for the call, click here.
To submit written concerns, click here.


Wanted: Nominations for Urban Coalition for HIV/AIDS Prevention Services (UCHAPS) Board of Directors
The Urban Coalition for HIV/AIDS Prevention Services (UCHAPS) is now accepting nominations for candidates for open seats on the Board of Directors. Candidates should be experienced in: HIV-prevention or related public health field, organizational management and development, fundraising, governance, and policy. For more information on the Board of Directors responsibilities, selection criteria, and for the nomination form, click here.
Three seats are open for a three year term from June 11th 2012 to the 2015 annual meeting and four seats are open for a two year term from June 11th 2012 to the 2014 annual meeting. Terms will be selected on a lottery system.
Deadline to submit Nomination Forms, Personal Statements, and Resumes is Monday, April 30th, 2012. Nominations should be submitted via e-mail to dea@uchaps.org.
If you have any questions contact Dea Varsovczky at dea@uchaps.org or 718-791-2206.


Funding Announcement: 2012 Innovative Strategy Award for Access and Retention in HIV/AIDS Care

AIDS United invites non-profit organizations, both within and outside of the United States (US), to apply for the Innovative Strategy Award for Access and Retention in HIV/AIDS Care. Thirty years into the HIV/AIDS epidemic, there are far too many people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) who are unable to access or stay retained in medical care that can improve or extend their lives. According to a recent article in Clinical Infectious Diseases, only 19% of those living with HIV/AIDS in the US are engaged and retained in medical care in a way that leads to an undetectable viral load. Globally, the World Health Organization reports that only 6.65 million people (out of 34 million) are receiving antiretroviral therapies, representing just 19% of the total number of people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. If we are to reach an end to AIDS we must do better to ensure that people are fully engaged and retained in HIV care. We believe that there are innovative strategies being used every day in communities around the world to improve access to care – strategies that have not been replicated or brought to scale. As a funder and policy leader, we know that innovation is needed to promote new solutions for persistent problems and barriers to care. This award will provide an opportunity for organizations around the world to demonstrate innovative strategies and share them with their global peers.
The winner will receive $25,000 and full support for one organizational representative to attend the XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC, USA.
Click here for more information about the application process for the 2012 Innovation and Strategy Award for Access and Retention in HIV/AIDS Care.
Deadline: 11:59pm US EST on May 1, 2012


XIX International AIDS Conference - Deadline for Registration and Late BreakersAbstract SubmissionsThe XIX International AIDS Conference, to be held July 22-27 in Washington DC, will host an expected 200 countries, 2,000 journalists, and 25,000 participants to address this year's theme of "Turning the Tide Together." The conference is now open for late breakers registration and late abstract submissions. The categories for abstract submissions are: Basic Science; Clinical Science; Epidemiology and Prevention Science; Social Science, Human Rights and Political Science; and Implementation Science, Health Systems and Economics.
Important Dates:
Registration late fee closes May 3rd, 2012,
Abstract Submissions late breakers close May 22nd, 2012.
Learn more about the abstract submission categories.
Find out more information about registration.
Find other important deadlines.

Call for MSM and Transgender Abstracts Not Accepted at AIDS 2012The International AIDS Society has sent out notifications on acceptance and rejection of abstract submissions and scholarship applications. Many of the abstracts submitted on MSM and Transgender issues were rejected from the conference, but it is important that research from these projects still be presented. The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) plans on releasing a new publication before AIDS 2012 featuring high-quality MSM and Transgender abstracts that will not be presented at AIDS 2012. MSMGF will be accepting submissions from those who submitted abstracts to AIDS 2012 and were not accepted to present and from those who were accepted but were not granted a scholarship and will not be able to attend.
All abstracts will be reviewed by an independent board based on the AIDS 2012 Abstract Submission Guidelines.
Abstracts must be submitted by May 4, 2012 in the exact form submitted to AIDS 2012 through the online survey form here.
Questions can be sent to the MSMGF Policy Associate Mohan Sundararaj at msundararaj@msmgf.org.

Webinar - Save The Date!

AIDS United will host an Alliance For Justice Webinar for our community partners, grantees, and advocates. This session covers the federal rules regarding electoral activities for 501(c)(3)s, including voter registration drives, candidate questionnaires, candidate forums and legislative scorecards.
Topic:  Election Rules for Non-Profits
Date:  May 14th
Time: 2:00
RSVP: policy@aidsunited.org
Webinar information will be forthcoming.

Ryan White 2012 Grantee Meeting and 15th Annual Clinical Conference

This year’s Ryan White Program Meeting and 15th Annual Clinical Conference will take place November 27-29 in Washington, DC at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. The conference, whose theme is “Navigating a New Era in CARE, ” will examine changes in the health care system and explore how changes impact those living with HIV. Over 2,500 participants are expected to attend, including direct care providers, members of planning councils, board members, federal staff, and more.

Important Deadlines for the conference:
Abstract Submissions – May 21, 2012
Grantee Meeting Registration – September 24, 2012, 12:00 AM ET
Clinical Conference Registration – September 24, 2012
Washington Marriott Wardman Park Discounted Room Rate – October 24, 2012
For more information on the conference, abstracts, registration, and hotels, click here.

July 24th HIV Mobilization Planned at International AIDS Conference

Large scale actions have traditionally taken place at each International AIDS Conference to draw public and media attention to HIV prevention, treatment and research. As the time for the International AIDS Conference in Washington D.C. approaches, some local and national HIV groups are continuing this tradition by calling for a community mobilization around human rights and economic justice on July 24th.

Who. What. When. Where. Widget.

By Deb LeBel, Partnerships Specialist, AIDS.gov

We think a lot about spreading the news. Today we are excited to launch the Federal HIV/AIDS News Feed Widget. The AIDS.gov widget consolidates the many federal HIV/AIDS news updates released by our partner U.S government (USG) agencies. Follow the following feeds to learn about program or policy updates, new resources, funding opportunities, upcoming events, and the latest research developments from AIDS.gov, HHS, NIH, AIDSInfo, SAMHSA, and CDC. The Living and Affected Corporation through its community outreach and programmming, has embraced the use of tech gadets and social platforms in an effort to offere prevention messages. LA Corp uses this forum and our Facebook platform to offer the latest information, links, video and podcast that contain breaking news and news portals. Currently LA Corp is seeking "tech geeks" to assist our organization with further development of our interactive tools and internal systems that will allow us to better serve our clients throughout the Central Arkansas area and beyond. If you are not following this blog or become a friend on our Facebook page, do so today. LA Corp believes that "quality information is just a click from your fingertips." Check us out at www.livingaffected.org

What: The widget brings in HIV/AIDS related news from the USG across the prevention, care, treatment and research spectrum. Not sure what a widget is? Read the AIDS.gov one page sheet on widgets [PDF 946KB].
Who: AIDSinfo, CDC, HHS, NIH, SAMHSA and AIDS.gov have news feeds. Our widget pulls information from all of these feeds into one source through our widget. These agencies and programs are also members of the Federal HIV/AIDS Web Council (FHAWC). A key goal of the FHAWC is to cross-promotion, coordination, and collaboration to improve delivery of HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and treatment messages and services via new media.
When: Starting today, the widget lets anyone who embeds the widget to get automatic updates without having to visit each federal site.
Where: Website managers, bloggers, and anyone can put the widget on their sites. You can get the embed code on AIDS.gov.
Why: We take our communication responsibility seriously. We strive to efficiently use the best and most appropriate tools to reach health departments across the nation, federal HIV grantees, and AIDS service organizations among other audiences. The widget builds on existing resources from our federal colleagues and extends the reach of federal programs, policies, and resources that are part of our response to the epidemic.
Widget: Now that you’ve got the news about the news, please take a few minutes to see the widget, and consider adding it to your site. If you like the widget, please let us know! And visit this page to learn about all the widgets available on AIDS.gov including the HIV/AIDS Prevention & Service Provider Locator.
We encourage you to use this widget if your target audience(s) would benefit! The Living and Affected Corporation will be adding the widget to our page. Watch for its launch next week!!

Living in HEFTE 2012

The Living and Affected Corporation has steadfast in its position that indivudals in search of primary care treatment for any ailment must have access to culturally competent providers and clinics. Through our research underscored by our designated "HEFTE" premise which cites " Housing, Education, Food, Treatment, and Empowerment" are  paramount in the cycle of serving persons from an holistic approach. Throughout the United States, clinics and other care pathways are forging ahead to deal with an ever growing public without health insurance or unable to qualify for safety net programs such as Medicaid. Consequently the overburdened "emergerncy room" system continues to act as a catch all for those who have accessed care from a preventive stance but have arrived in search of care usually at a critical stage of their ailment. LA Corp stand firm on the issue that this "hub and spoke" issue of social determinants must be front and center as local community, non-governemental or faith based entities attempt to direct their clients and populations into the health care stream. If such organizations are to be effective, there will have be a further infusion of resources and providers to meet the growing needs. As an agency that has pursued HIV/AIDS testing within the community, LA Corp encourages our allies, supporters and financial partners to share your valuable contributions to our mission. If you would like to  make a tax-deductible gift to the organization, you can do so at our website, www.livingaffected.org or forward your contribution to P.O. box 46558, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72214. Your support will allow us to continue to bring our services to the greater central Arkansas area and beyond. Can we count on you today? For more information contact us at info@lacorponline.org

 

Raging the Living Affected Machine Forward

The Living Affected Corporation is currently exploring issues surrounding transgendered women of color in response to an announcement from HRSA ( Health Resources and Services Administration) concerning transgendered women of color in rural states, namely Arkansas and Oklahoma.  LACorp is seeking to respond to the initiative by submitting information toward participating in the demonstration sites of the Enhancing Engagement and Retention in Quality HIV Care for Transgender Women of Color. If awarded, the organization plans to launch The LEGENDS ( Leading, Effective, Gender, Education, Naturally Developing, Strengths) Project which will address a host of issues and concerning this under served population experiences. In preparation for this program, LA Corp has collaborated with University of Texas Southwest Medical Center, Langston University/Tulsa and Sasson & Associates of Tulsa as primary partners. During the process a plethora of additional supportive entities have shared their enthusiasm and hopefulness of the projects acceptance as a hybrid model of the future to capture the stories of transgendered women of color who are seeking viable direct pathways to HIV/AIDS care. We thank everyone for their support and advice as we pursue this new horizon in servicing marginalized communities in Arkansas and Oklahoma.  If you are interested in The LEGENDS Project please reach out to info@lacorponline.com  for more information and updates.

Transgendered Sexual Violence

As a community based driven organization, The Living Affected Corporation has been acutely aware of the various levels of social determinants that impact transgendered women of color. Most notably the issues of "intimate sexual violence or gay bashing" play prominent in the lives of some individuals and has been cited by our interviewees as among the barriers to engaging and remaining in quality HIV care. We believe that The LEGENDS Project sets in motion a culturally competent navigation system to address such instances that have been documented in the brief, Culturally Competent Service Provision to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Survivors of Sexual Violence by Sabrina Gentlewarrior with contributions from Kim Fountain (September 2009).

The investigators support our stance of answering the ethical mandate to serve marginalized communities especially transgendered women of color whom they report,"Sexual violence aimed at LGBT individuals has been perceived as a violent attempt to keep those who are deemed socially inferior in terms of sexual and gender expression 'in line'"(Gentlewarrior, Martin-Jearld, Sweetser, Skok & Langevin, 2007/2008; HaleyNelson, 2005; Lombardi, Wilchins, Priesling & Malouf, 2001). They further conclude and we ardently agree that "our work must include LGBT survivors not only because it is right, but because it is necessary in order to create a comprehensive response to sexual violence."

In our observations we also embrace the fact that "LGBT survivors experience sexual violence across the lifespan predicated in bias, as well as violence not based in discrimination; bias-oriented sexual trauma is associated with especially negative post-trauma affects. LGBT survivors experience sexual harassment and child sexual abuse at higher rates than do heterosexual individuals."

Many of the core element of The Legends Project seeks to follow the briefs recommendations for effectively serving LGBT survivors of sexual violence. They would include:


1) Engage in ongoing identification and rectification of any attitudes or behaviors predicated in homophobia, biphobia, and/or transphobia.


2) Prioritize the production and dissemination of information focused on LGBT survivors of sexual violence in community-based and peer-reviewed venues. This can be supported by our Peer Certification level and elements of the modified PROMISE Diffused Evidence Based Intervention plus our producing the LEGENDS book of self-directed stories.

3) Ensure that our agencies have workers and administrators that reflect the social identities of all of those we serve.The program will result in trained individuals who could be utilized as viable employee's for area AIDS service organizations or community based groups.


4) Commit to developing a knowledge base about LGBT individuals that includes: a) Information about their historical and current experiences of oppression; and b) Knowledge regarding the coming out and identity development processes. Through The LEGENDS Project's intake and information management systems all data will be secured via HIPPA regulations for further extrapolating and discovery.

5) Develop and utilize LGBT-affirmative practice models. Initial steps toward this goal include: a) Use of inclusive language verbally and in all written forms and literature; b) Assessment of all survivors for bias as well as non-bias oriented victimization's; and c) Ability to honor client's multiple and interconnected social identities and effectively serve client's in view of these identities. The entire scope of the project is fulfill any and all culturally sensitive behaviors and norms.

6) Identify - or if needed - create LGBT community resources dedicated to offering safe, affirming support on a range of issues relevant to members of these communities. Using our "HEFTE"( Housing, Employment, Food, Treatment and Education) model, we intend to address such social determinants that are vitally important to retaining transgendered women of color in quality care streams.

7) Provide professional development opportunities for area agencies focused on the self awareness, knowledge and skills needed to offer culturally competent services to LGBT survivors of sexual violence. The component of Volunteer Counseling and Testing training will be instrumental in leveraging the skills of projects graduates and their impact within the community service agencies.

8) Participate in policy and social change work dedicated to providing equity of treatment and acceptance to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

Sexual violence clinicians, educators, activists and researchers have a proud history of joining survivors in naming and addressing the causes and impact of trauma.

In conclusion, The vision and mission of The LEGENDS Project is by design a coordinated modified intervention that will act as a "hub" with distinctive "spokes" emitting from its central core providing a variety of pathways in which transgendered women of color can acknowledge sexually risky behaviors while transitioning and retained to direct HIV/AIDS care.

A Statement from Secretary Sebelius on the Administration for Community Living

All Americans – including people with disabilities and seniors – should be able to live at home with the supports they need, participating in communities that value their contributions – rather than in nursing homes or other institutions.
The Obama administration and my department have long been committed to promoting community living and finding new mechanisms to help ensure that the supports people with disabilities and seniors need to live in the community are accessible.
Today, with the creation of the new Administration for Community Living (ACL), we are reinforcing this commitment by bringing together key HHS organizations and offices dedicated to improving the lives of those with functional needs into one coordinated, focused and stronger entity.
The Administration for Community Living will bring together the Administration on Aging, the Office on Disability and the Administration on Developmental Disabilities into a single agency that supports both cross-cutting initiatives and efforts focused on the unique needs of individual groups, such as children with developmental disabilities or seniors with dementia. This new agency will work on increasing access to community supports and achieving full community participation for people with disabilities and seniors.
The Administration on Community Living will seek to enhance and improve the broad range of supports that individuals may need to live with respect and dignity as full members of their communities. These support needs go well beyond health care and include the availability of appropriate housing, employment, education, meaningful relationships and social participation.
Building on President Obama’s Year of Community Living, the ACL will pursue improved opportunities for older Americans and people with disabilities to enjoy the fullest inclusion in the life of our nation.
For more information, please visit http://hhs.gov/acl

Living Affected in the City

We’re Launching HHS’ New Open Government Plan, Version 2.0 By E.J. Holland, Jr., Assistant Secretary for Administration 

At AIDS.gov, we are committed to the Open Government Initiative. This initiative aims to make operations and data more transparent, and expand opportunities for citizen participation, collaboration, and oversight. It’s important to the HIV community and for public health. The Locator API is one way we are working to support this initiative, along with our support of the open data initiatives of HHS and other Federal HIV/AIDS Web Council members.

Today marks the two year anniversary of when HHS launched its first ever Open Government plan, which guided our efforts to make government more transparent, participatory, and collaborative. Over the last several months, the Department of Health and Human Services advanced new ideas and initiatives that will take HHS’s Open Government commitment to the President’s objectives to a new level. The result is our new Version 2.0 of the HHS Open Government plan. There are several new initiatives about which I’d like you to know. I encourage you to see the many ways we are focused on open government principles.
The Version 2.0 plan has three new flagship programs with completion dates in 2013 and 2014 that address open government principles across HHS agencies. The first is a new Innovation Fellows program recently announced by Secretary Sebelius.
This program is designed to pair HHS employees with experts and entrepreneurs from outside government to solve some of the Department’s toughest challenges. Another priority program addresses medical product development through multi-agency collaboration with academia and private sector research. This approach strengthens our capabilities to develop new health technologies which address our nation’s most critical diseases and conditions. Our third priority builds on our highly successful health data initiative by focusing on new efforts to improve the quality of data and enhance our understanding and use of it. A number of new projects will improve the way our department works with the public to meet critical information needs.
I encourage you to learn more about our new plan and see the diverse ways we are addressing transparency in government. From the start, we’ve asked the public to provide input and comment on our plans. So, thank you for your ideas and suggestions; I urge you to stay involved. Please continue to submit comments and provide us additional thoughts on ways we can improve upon our goals. From time to time, my HHS colleagues and I will provide you with progress updates and respond to your feedback.

 

MTV Audience Encouraged to “GYT” National Campaign Encourages Young People to “Get Yourself Tested” for STDs, Including HIV

contact Rakesh Singh Kaiser Family Foundation (650) 854-9400 rsingh@kff.org Janice Gatti MTV (212) 846-8852 janice.gatti@mtvstaff.com Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood Media Office (212) 261-4433 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NCHHSTP - News Media Line (404) 639-8895 NCHHSTPMediaTeam@cdc.gov — The fourth annual GYT: Get Yourself Tested campaign kicks off National STD Awareness Month (April) with new initiatives on-air, online, and on the ground at college campuses and in more than 5,000 health centers across the nation. GYT is an ongoing national campaign launched in 2009 as an extension of a longstanding public information partnership between MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation to address the high rates of STDs among those under 25. It is supported by a broad range of organizations including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Planned Parenthood Federation of America, which reinforce the on-air campaign with on-the-ground promotions conducted with health centers and community organizations across the nation. “MTV has made a sustained commitment to challenging the stigma that prevents countless young people from getting tested for STDs and HIV,” said Jason Rzepka, Vice President of MTV Public Affairs. “We’re proud that GYT has helped drive notable increases in STD testing, but there’s no finish line in this race, and we will continue to do all we can to help our audience make responsible decisions about their sexual health.” GYT is a youthful, empowering campaign aimed at reducing the spread of STDs among young people through information; open communication with partners, health care providers, and peers; and testing and treatment as needed. GYT offers a short-hand reference for young people to open up dialogue about STDs and, in particular, the importance of testing. According to CDC, young people ages 15-24 represent nearly half of all new STDs occurring in the U.S., while representing just 25 percent of the population. Rates of chlamydia, a preventable and treatable STD, are particularly high. Chlamydia often has no symptoms, and when left undiagnosed and untreated can cause serious health consequences, including infertility in women. As a result, CDC recommends annual screening for all sexually active women aged 25 and younger. “We’re proud to be a part of GYT because of the positive difference it has made on the lives of so many young Americans,” said Gail Bolan, MD, director of CDC’s Division of STD Prevention. “The facts are clear – STDs are common, and the life-long impact of an untreated STD is real. But, these don’t have to be accepted parts of life. GYT provides the tools young people need to be proactive about their health.” GYT public service messages air throughout the year on MTV channels with cross promotions with health centers and community organizations. Extensive information resources – including a dedicated website (www.gytnow.org), which provides basic information about common STDs, talking tips and a zip code locator to find local testing locations – as well as mobile testing locator, GYTNOW (498669) – provide the audience with more information. During April, the campaign scales up its presence by introducing new messaging and outreach. Some elements of this year’s national GYT campaign include: “Team GYT” — Celebrities recognizable to the GYT audience help carry the GYT message as part of “Team GYT.” Coming from an array of backgrounds, these celebrities are hand-picked to offer a sense of inspiration and personal empowerment. This year, the campaign is pleased to welcome Litefoot, a Native American rap artist, actor and entrepreneur. Litefoot, a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, also operates the “Reach the Rez Tour”, an outreach program that promotes positive change among American Indian youth. Litefoot joins the ranks of the existing members of Team GYT including: The Jersey Shore’s Vinny, rap visionary Talib Kweli, celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton, America’s Best Dance Crew’s Jungle Boogie, professional street skateboarder Stevie Williams, head of Thehundreds.com Bobby Hundreds, Paper Twins’ artists Nica and Edgar A. English, aspiring fashion-conscious entrepreneur Allie Bashuk, surf-loving San Franpsycho, San Francisco designer/painter/artist Ube Urban, Levi Maestro of the online show “Maestro Knows,” Buff Monster, designer Han Cholo, and DJ A-Trak. Team GYT will continue to grow throughout the year as new faces are added to the campaign. All will carry the GYT brand out into various aspects of youth culture, encouraging their fans and followers to know their status. GYT “Party” — GYT has created a new online interactive video experience to encourage conversations about STDs and testing with partners, peers, and health care providers. The video, a simulation of a party scene, includes five conversations among couples, peers and friends, about STDs and testing and is found at http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/gyt/talk/party. The GYT Party is filled with talking tips, an interactive quiz, key information for starting a conversation about STDs and testing and other bonus features. GYT Nation — GYT is also supported by an extensive on-the-ground outreach effort is taking GYT to communities across the country. GYT promotional and informational materials, including T-shirts, posters, buttons, brochures, and stickers are being distributed to more than 5,000 health centers and organizations nationwide, including Planned Parenthood’s network of nearly 800 health centers and additional public and private clinics identified by CDC. GYT is also working with state and local health departments the National Coalition of STD Directors, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and the National Assembly of School-Based Health Centers to provide young people with information about the campaign. And, the American College Health Association (ACHA) works with GYT to distribute materials through college health centers. "When it comes to STDs, many of those at risk don't know it or assume they would know if they had one," said Tina Hoff, Senior Vice President and Director of the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Health Communication & Media Partnerships Program. "Through a combination of on-air, online, and on-the-ground messages, GYT is working to increase knowledge and remove the stigma of STD testing". During last year’s GYT campaign, Planned Parenthood health centers tested almost 125,000 men and women in April, and Planned Parenthood affiliates held 240 events with 1,250 youth volunteers, reaching 67,000 people. Data collected from 10 Planned Parenthood affiliates show that STD testing has increased significantly since the launch of GYT in 2009. Among the 10 affiliates, there was a 51 percent increase in patients getting tested in April 2011 as compared to the same time in 2008, prior to the launch of the campaign – suggesting that the campaign helped drive an increase in STD tests. Nationally, Planned Parenthood reported significant increases in the populations most affected by STDs, including African Americans and people living at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Data is not available for all 80 PPFA affiliates and more than 1000 clinics, colleges and universities, and other partners that also supported the campaign in 2011. “At Planned Parenthood, we know that affordable testing and treatment, along with education, are the best ways to ensure that young people stay healthy and safe,” said PPFA President Cecile Richards. “For almost a century, Planned Parenthood has been providing health care information and resources aimed at preventing STDs, and our doors are open to everyone. Getting tested is simply a basic part of staying healthy, and we’re thrilled that the GYT campaign is getting that message out to teens and young people.”

Kaliedscope of Living

White House Office Hours: Combatting the Spread of HIV/AIDS Among Women and Girls

By Erin Lindsay (Cross-posted from White House Office Hours: Combatting the Spread of HIV/AIDS Among Women and Girls)

There are approximately 1.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States, including more than 290,000 women. Black and Hispanic women account for nearly three-quarters of new HIV infections among women. In July 2010, President Obama launched the first National HIV/AIDS Strategy to provide a coordinated national response to fight the epidemic.
Last week, as part of these ongoing efforts, President Obama issued a presidential memorandum establishing an inter-agency working group on the intersection of HIV/AIDS, violence against women and girls, and gender-related health disparities.
On Wednesday, the co-chairs of the working group, Lynn Rosenthal, the White House Advisor on Violence Against Women and Dr. Grant Colfax, the Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, will join us for a special session of office hours on Twitter to take your questions on the intersection of HIV/AIDS, violence against women, and gender-related health disparities and the importance of supporting continued research, mobilizing both the public- and private-sector, and engaging families and communities.
To learn more about the working group read the presidential memorandum and don’t forget to ask your questions during office hours on Wednesday.
Here are the details:

• Join us for Office Hours on Twitter at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4th
• Ask your question on Twitter with the hashtag #WHChat
• Lynn Rosenthal, the White House Advisor on Violence Against Women and Dr. Grant Colfax, the Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, will respond to your questions in real-time via Twitter from @WHLive
• Follow the Q&A through the @WHLive Twitter account
• If you miss the live event, the full session will be posted on WhiteHouse.gov and Storify.com/WhiteHouse

We hope you can join us! Follow us on Twitter @WhiteHouseand @WHLive for the latest updates and more chances to engage.

Five Dear Colleague Letters in Support of HIV/AIDS

Representatives Nadler (D-NY), Waters (D-CA), Pascrell (D-NJ), and Lee (D-CA) and Delegate Norton (D-DC), submitted Dear Colleague letters addressing funding issues of importance to ending the AIDS epidemic to the House Labor, Health and Human Services Subcommittee on Appropriations on March 29th. Each letter detailed major domestic HIV spending needs and addressed the allocation of funding in the following areas:

• Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA)
• The Minority AIDS Initiative
• Labor-HHS, including The Ryan White Act and HIV Prevention and Surveillance
• Washington, D.C., Syringe Exchange, and
• Comprehensive sex education

Each of the letters was signed by between 32 and 67 Representatives with 108 different Representatives signing on to at least one letter. AIDS United appreciates the leadership taken to collect and submit the signatures and we thank every Representative who signed on.

Congress in Recess - Contact Your Representative!
Congress will be in recess for the next two weeks. Please consider taking this opportunity to schedule an appointment to meet with your Senators and Representatives while they are in town. To find out who your Representative is and to get her or his contact information, click here.

Additionally, many Senators and Representatives will be conducting town hall meetings while they are on recess. Here are just some of the town halls that we know of:

• 4/3 Sen. Merkley (D-OR) - Lost River Junior and Senior High School, Merrill, OR
• 4/10 Sen. Merkley (D-OR) - Milton-Freewater American Legion Hall, Milton-Freewater, OR
• 3/31 Rep. Buerkle (R-NY) - West Genesee Senior High School, Camillus, NY
• 4/1 Rep. Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-WI) - Hartland Village Hall, Hartland, WI
• 4/3 Rep. Black (R-TN) - White House Heritage High School Theater, White House, TN
• 4/3 Rep. Deutch (D-FL) - Coconut Creek Community Center, Coconut Creek, FL
• 4/3 Rep. Huelskamp (R-KS) - The Flying Monkey, Elkhart, KS
• 4/3 Rep. Murphy (R-PA) - Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, Pittsburgh, PA
• 4/12 Rep. Black (R-TN) - Putnam County Courthouse, Cookeville, TN
• 5/15 Rep. Ross (D-AR) - Telephone Town Hall

If we learn of more, we will let you know! Contact your Representatives' and Senators' offices or check their websites to find out when they will be holding their next town hall. This is a great opportunity to meet with Members of Congress and express your concerns about HIV/AIDS issues, including whether or not there will be enough funding for prevention, treatment and research. We hope you will attend.

Upward Bound and More

Secretarial Statement on National Minority Health Month 2012

In April, we commemorate National Minority Health Month to raise awareness of the health disparities that continue to affect racial and ethnic minorities, as well as celebrate the opportunities of the Affordable Care Act’s groundbreaking policies to reduce those health disparities.
Despite the progress our nation has made over the past 50 years, racial and ethnic minorities still lag behind the general population on many health fronts. Minorities are less likely to get the preventive care they need to stay healthy, more likely to suffer from serious illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease and colon cancer, and they are less likely to have access to quality health care.
The Affordable Care Act, in conjunction with the Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities and the National Stakeholder Strategy for Achieving Health Equity that HHS released one year ago, addresses the needs of minority populations and other under served groups, by bringing down health care costs, investing in prevention, and supporting improvements in primary care and Medicare. As a result of the health care law, we are making strides in giving every American regardless of race or ethnicity a fair shot at quality, affordable health coverage.
More than 1.2 million Latinos, Blacks, Asian Americans and American Indian/Alaska Natives have gained coverage because the Affordable Care Act allows young adults without employer-provided insurance to stay on their parents’ plans until age 26. Many Americans can now get such key preventive services as mammograms, cancer screenings and flu vaccinations with no co-pay or deductible, a significant barrier in the past to many in minority communities. Insurance companies cannot discriminate against children under 19 for pre-existing conditions, and in 2014, that protection will cover adults, as well.
The new health care law also prohibits lifetime dollar limits on how much care an insurance company will pay for and is phasing out annual dollar limits. Small businesses, the economic driver in many minority communities, can now get tax credits to help pay for insurance coverage for their employees as a result of the Affordable Care Act. The health care law also strengthens Medicare for our seniors with many free preventive services, including a free annual wellness visit with your doctor, a 50 percent discount on covered brand-name medications for those in the prescription drug “donut hole,” and strong anti-fraud measures.
The theme for National Minority Health Month this year is “Health Equity Can’t Wait. Act Now in Your CommUnity.” We are a nation of communities and we depend on each other. By recommitting ourselves to eliminating the serious and substantial health disparities faced by racial and ethnic minority Americans, we are investing in our entire nation’s physical and economic well being.
To learn more about National Minority Health Month and what the Department of Health and Human Services is doing to reduce minority health disparities and achieve health equity, see http://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/Actnow/


Female Condoms: The Untold Sexy and Cost Saving Prevention Method

This week the journal AIDS and Behavior published study findings stating that the Washington, D.C. female condom education and distribution program is a cost effective strategy for reducing new HIV infections. The data overwhelmingly demonstrated that dollars invested in the program resulted in a cost savings of more than $8 million due to the prevention of nearly 23 HIV infections. The program is administered by the Washington AIDS Partnership (an AIDS United Community Partnership) and the D.C. Department of Health. The Living Affected Corporation was among the first local community based organizations to offer educational modules on the usage of female condoms. The organization encompassed the modules as the S. H. E. concept (pictured) which encouraged women to further their understanding on the effectiveness and preventive measures that the items offered in relation to sexually transmitted diseases.
The female condom is an essential safer sex option for all genders seeking to protect the health of themselves and their partners. It is the only receptive partner initiated HIV, STI, and pregnancy prevention tool available. The female condom can be used for vaginal or anal sex.
The study’s findings shatter the notion that female condoms and not a worthwhile expenditure for HIV prevention programs. The reality is female condoms work.
Lead author and chairman of the Department of Health Behavior and Society at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, David Holtgrave, stated in the Washington Post that “When we think about what it means for a city or state to have a comprehensive HIV program, this study really says you ought to include female condoms as one element of a comprehensive program because it’s acceptable, effective and cost-saving.”

Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York City, and San Francisco have launched similar programs focused on increasing awareness, acceptance, and use of female condoms through equipping community educators, health care professionals, case managers, and other services providers with skills necessary to effectively promote female condoms within their communities. Each of these jurisdictions reports greater acceptance of female condoms among end-users and increased willingness among providers to promote them as a result of their work. Other jurisdictions are currently laying the groundwork to launch their own programs.
The energy and enthusiasm around female condoms has increased tremendously since the new and improved female condom, the FC2, hit the market in 2010. Last year each of the female condom programs in the U.S. came together to launch the National Female Condom Coalition to increase awareness, access, and use of female condoms through education, advocacy, and collaboration. The Coalition now counts approximately 40 health departments and organizations dedicated to sexual health and reproductive justice, gay men’s health, HIV prevention, family planning, and HIV-positive women from across the country. This study will further strengthen advocacy efforts to ensure women and men in the U.S. and around the world are aware and can access this highly effective, pleasurable, and cost-effective prevention tool. To obtain more info contact: info@lacorponline.org  or call 1.877.902.7HIV

For more information about the National Female Condom Coalition, email jterlikowski@aidsunited.org. (source  material courtesy of AidsUnited.org)


LA Corp Seeking Board Members

The Living Affected Corporation is seeking qualified individuals who are willing to foster a positive experience in governing and executing fundraising initiatives to fulfill the organizations mission and vision. Individuals will be required to attend board meetings, develop strategic growth pathways, networking, fund raising, and serving as an organizational ambassador while addressing the issues of holistic sexual health approaches within marginalized communities. Only committed individuals need forward their resumes. For immediate consideration forward your information to  The Living Affected Corporation, c/o Board Positions  P.O. box 46558, Little Rock, AR 72214-6558