People who are HIV-negative and vulnerable to HIV infection can take a daily medication called Truvada to help prevent HIV. It’s recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Chicago and Illinois Departments of Public Health.
If you need health insurance, you can shop for and choose a plan on the health insurance marketplace (must be before Friday,...
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Jessica Glaspie, 32, is a mom and an advocate living in Lake County. She sat down with her mom, Rosita, to discuss her HIV diagnosis at just 22 years old and her choice to become an outspoken advocate in her community.
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The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) and Legal Council for Health Justice (LCHJ) are appalled to learn the state of Illinois was given a “D-” grade in the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable and the Center for Health Law Policy Innovation of Harvard Law School’s interactive report grading the nation’s Medicaid programs on their access to treatments for hepatitis...
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by Raven Feagins
Michelle Hennigan is a compassionate mother of one who lives in the small village of Johnsburg – just over an hour and a half outside of Chicago. Michelle loved providing a comfortable lifestyle for her and her daughter, but in 1999 – just as she was moving up in her career – Michelle became extremely ill with no sign of recovery.
"I...
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By Sara Semelka
Illinois is making dramatic progress against HIV
New HIV cases have dropped by 28% from 2006 to 2015. Mother-to-child HIV transmission is nearly eliminated. In Chicago, there were fewer than 1,000 cases a year. Because of this, it’s possible to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Illinois.
Illinois has what it takes.
With health...
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Although most universities and schools were closed in August, 11 public health professionals didn’t let that stop them from cultivating their skills and building networks. They attended the ninth annual Public Health Boot Camp, an intensive one-week educational program provided by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) and the Institute of Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM), the nexus for...
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by Raven Feagins
Millions of people across the country are unable to work most jobs and earn an income due to disability or other challenges. For these folks, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are available to help supplement, but the application process is known for being nearly impossible to navigate. This inspired the creation of the...
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by Ashley Brown
UPDATE: In November 2018, the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services (HFS) announced that a hepatitis C cure would be accessible for thousands more Illinoisans on Medicaid, many of whom were previously denied treatment until they reached end-stage disease. Learn more here .
Peter McLoyd doesn’t care what you think of him...
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The Illinois budget impasse has finally come to an end.
Over the July 4th holiday weekend, the Illinois General Assembly passed bipartisan legislation for a full Fiscal Year (FY) 18 budget that supports health equity across the state. Legislators also passed a revenue bill (which increases the Illinois income tax from 3.75% to 4.95%) to actually fund that budget. The AIDS...
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Each June 27, National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) encourages people of all ages to get tested for HIV. Chicago has a vibrant network of testing sites at which you can #KnowYourStatus; plus, many of them are also beneficaries of AIDS Run & Walk Chicago's CommunityDirect program!
Here are two things you can do on National HIV Testing Day to build health equity in Chicago:...
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