Racism is a public health crisis. This is evident in the decades of public health data that show disproportionate levels of morbidity and mortality among people of color, and in particular Black and Latino/a/e/x people. These trends are rooted in the legacy of racism and the extent to which it has permeated into public health, health care, and other systems. Beyond health care, we have...
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The Center for Housing and Health (CHH) is proud to report that the Flexible Housing Pool (FHP) has housed its 1,000th person this month!
Since the first participant reached home in April 2019, the Flexible Housing Pool has been committed to serving people experiencing homelessness who live with chronic health conditions, and those who cycle through crisis settings such as...
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CHICAGO, IL – AIDS Foundation Chicago applauds the move by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to update its blood donation guidelines to move away from a blanket ban on donations from same gender-loving men to a more individualized risk assessment model. However, AFC urges the FDA to continue to review blood donation requirements to allow PrEP users...
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“I don’t prescribe those kinds of medicines” the older, White, gray-haired physician said in his judgmental southern drawl. I am sitting in this exam room at the public health department in Mobile, Alabama with a mix of emotions. I am grateful for the partner that thought enough of me after our encounter to provide my contact information so that I may receive STI testing...
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By: Tyline T. Burgess
January 2023 marks not only the beginning of a new year, but it also marks a change in leadership here at AIDS Foundation Chicago as board member’s leadership terms end. Three of our long-serving board members, Craig Johnson, Paula D. Friedman and J. Ben Stringfellow, will be stepping down from their position after many years of service and...
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By: Omar Martínez González, Sr. Manager, Policy & Advocacy
CHICAGO, IL – On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed a $1.7 trillion omnibus budget bill to fund the federal government through September 30, 2023. The omnibus bill included $858 billion for defense funding and $772.5 billion for non-defense discretionary programs like the...
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By Timothy Jackson, Director of Government Relations
With the U.S. Supreme Court overturning of Roe v. Wade and the deluge of gun violence across Illinois as the backdrop, the Illinois General Assembly gaveled into the 2023 Lame Duck Session on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. At a time when the rights to access comprehensive reproductive health care are under attack,...
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AIDS Foundation Chicago thanks U.S. Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05) for providing $250,000 for training and services to better support seniors living with HIV. “Thankfully, people who are living with HIV and taking medication are living longer. HIV care providers and our supporting partners need training and education to meet the evolving and complex needs of people with HIV...
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Last month we talked with AFC’s Alex Garcia and Executive Director of Gamaliel of Metro Chicago and Pilsen Neighbors Community Council (PNCC) Juan F. Soto on their work as community organizers and their upcoming event, the 8th Driver’s License Reinstatement Expo.
This past summer, PNCC celebrated the 50th year of Fiesta Del Sol , a community celebration and showcase of the...
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by James Cotromanes
Sitting in a chair at the local clinic, I received a diagnosis of HIV in 2007. Having accepted and come terms with the fact I am HIV-positive, a new reality of living with this chronic condition after 15 years is now in the forefront; and posing a new challenge for both doctors and patients aging with HIV.
This virus is becoming a double edge sword...
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