What is PrEP?

Posted on June 17, 2020September 23, 2020 by [email protected]

Have you heard of PrEP and wondered what it stood for?

PrEP stands for Pre-exposure prophylaxis. PrEP is a daily HIV prevention pill for those who are HIV-negative and want to reduce their risk of exposure to HIV. Research shows that, when taken consistently, PrEP provides protection from contracting HIV in a high percentage of individuals.

The California Department of Public Health Office of AIDS offers assistance to those without insurance to cover PrEP. You may be eligible to receive PrEP free of charge as part of the Patient Assistance Program, known as PrEP-AP. The program provides assistance with PrEP-related medical costs and other medications for the prevention of HIV and the treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

PrEP-AP Eligibility:

California resident
At least 18 years old
Negative HIV/AIDS test result (dated within six months of the PrEP-AP application)
Annual Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) cannot exceed 500% of the Federal Poverty Level
Medication expenses are not fully covered by Medi-Cal or other third-party payers
Enrolled in the manufacturer’s assistance program (if eligible)

If an individual is HIV+, the California Department of Public Health Office of AIDS has other programs to help pay for medication and health coverage related expenses: AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), Health Insurance Premium Payment program (OA-HIPP), Employer-Based Health Insurance Premium Payment (EB-HIPP), and Medicare Part D Premium Payment (MDPP) Assistance.

References and Resources:

PrEP Facts

Getting to Zero SF PrEP

HIV Prevention Starts with Each of Us:Women and Girls Awareness Day and Let’s End the HIV Epidemic Together

Posted on March 11, 2020September 23, 2020 by [email protected]

Every year on March 10^th, the U.S. observes National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. HIV prevention and treatment are critical to reducing new HIV cases among women and girls. Women and girls – as well as their partners, friends, and family members who care about them – are encouraged to learn more about how they can take control of their own health to prevent and treat HIV. HIV/AIDS is an equality opportunity virus. Any woman or girl who is sexually active can contract HIV/AIDS regardless of race, ethnicity, age, or sexual orientation. However, statistics show that African American and Latinx women and girls have a higher chance of acquiring HIV than their counterparts. [Facts https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/gender/women/index.html] There is great news! With today’s advancements in HIV/AIDS research and treatment it is possible to prevent HIV infection or passing the virus on to a partner or baby. Some unique challenges women and girls face are related to STDs, which may increase the risk of HIV infection. Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) is addressing the specific needs of women and girls who could be exposed to the virus or living with HIV. Please take a minute to view this important message from Rear Admiral Sylvia Trent-Adams, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. Follow these links to: Learn more about National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Find a local HIV testing or a healthcare provider, visit locator.HIV.gov. Find out more about PrEP at HIV.gov/PrEP and see if you qualify for the Ready, Set, PrEP at GetYourPrEP.com Together, we can stop HIV.

PRC endorses U=U

Posted on June 24, 2019September 23, 2020 by [email protected]

SAN FRANCISCO (June 20, 2019) – PRC, whose nonprofit mission is to provide a variety of legal, social and health services to San Francisco residents affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use or mental health issues, has announced its official endorsement of the Undetectable equals Untransmittable (U=U) campaign. Whether one is affected by HIV or is HIV negative, it is important to know and understand U=U. The U=U campaign was born in New York City and has quickly spread across North America and the global community. The stigma associated with HIV remains one of the greatest barriers for people in accessing HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and support. PRC’s endorsement of U=U sends a clear message that sharing the knowledge regarding U=U with our San Francisco community is an urgent priority to save lives and fight stigma, as well as is a call to take action to help spread the message. U=U (Undectable equals Untransmittable) has unequivocally been supported by scientific evidence. It shows that, when an individual is in HIV Treatment and maintains a suppressed viral load, there is effectively no risk of transmission to their partner during sex. Through its partnership with Getting to Zero San Francisco, PRC is committed to preventing new HIV diagnoses and supporting people living with HIV to stay in treatment so they can live their best lives. Continued support of campaigns like U=U is critical to ending HIV-related stigma. This will help us achieve the goals of preventing new diagnoses, reaching undiagnosed individuals, and ensuring that people living with HIV receive the care, treatment and support they need. About PRC PRC (formerly Positive Resource Center) is a San Francisco-based nonprofit that helps people affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use or mental health issues better realize the opportunities available to them. PRC provides integrated legal, social, and health services to address the broad range of social risk factors that impact wellness and limit potential. In 2017, the organization merged with AIDS Emergency Fund (AEF), an emergency financial assistance provider for low-income residents living with HIV/AIDS, and Baker Places, an agency that provides a comprehensive array of residential treatment services to people with mental health, substance use, and HIV/AIDS-related issues. Combined, the three organizations represent a 115-year history of service and serve approximately 5,000 clients annually. For more information, please visit www.prcsf.org

Latinx LGBTQ+ Mental Health

Posted on March 16, 2018September 23, 2020 by [email protected]

Each Mind Matters¹(EMM) recently collaborated with a group of LGBTQ+ community leaders and stakeholders to come together and create informational materials on mental health issues faced by Latinx LGBTQ+. The materials focus on three key segments: young adults, older adults, and providers working with Latinx youth.

Latinx LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health Provider Fact Sheet²

This fact sheet helps providers working with Latinx LGBTQ+ youth address the complex connections that can have an impact on a young person’s life, such as sexual orientation, gender identity, race/ethnicity, and immigration status. The fact sheet provides relevant resources and best practices within a culturally responsive framework.

EMM also created a fully bilingual in Spanish and English resource online, which covers key terms for providers working with Latinx LGBTQ+ youth, things to consider as mental health professionals serving Latinx LGBTQ+ immigrant youth, and seeking benefits. At this time there are no printed copies available; however, the pamphlet is available free to download³.

EMM website is a resource for mental health and LGBTQ+ topics:

Latinx LGBTQ+ Youth Handbook⁴
Be True and Be You: A Basic Mental Health Guide for LGBTQ+ Youth⁵ Discusses caring for mental health as an LGBTQ+ young adult including topics such as sexual orientation, gender identity, coming out, healthy relationships, common mental health challenges, and symptoms.
LGBT Mental Health and Aging Support Guide⁶ Provides information on mental health for older LGBTQ+ adults on topics such as considerations around caregiving, legal affairs, rejection, and discrimination.