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RHHD Encourages Community Members to Seek Preventative Care, Screening for HIV 

Posted on by amberpadilla

RICHMOND, Va. —Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1 by encouraging community members to seek preventative care, screening, and/or treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

RHHD offers a variety of sexually transmitted infection (STI) preventative measures, screenings, and treatments. Services include pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily medication that is highly effective at helping prevent HIV. Community members interested in learning more about PrEP can call 804-664-2125. For more information about RHHD clinical services, including screenings, and to schedule an appointment, call 804-205-3501.

“We have to remember not to forget,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts PrEP Coordinator Bernard Stackhouse. “We can’t forget how far we’ve come with medications, and treatments. Working in PrEP gives me hope that with a combination of prevention and treatment, we can end the spread of HIV.”

Resource Centers at Southwood Apartments, Mosby Court, and Gilpin Court offer STI/HIV screening on a sliding scale during clinic hours. Community members can visit the Resource Centers page to view availability and hours. Community members can visit rhhd.gov/VA-HIV-testing to search for Virginia-based HIV testing options near them.

The following RHHD community partners also offer free STI testing services: Nationz Foundation (804-716-7597), Minority Health Consortium (804-225-0820), and Health Brigade (804-358-6343 ext. 2145). Community members can find a testing site at the following link: CDC testing site locator.

For those living with HIV, RHHD offers low-cost or free HIV medication access, case management, and other support services for low-income or underinsured individuals through the Ryan White program. RHHD is a Ryan White Part B subrecipient.

In Richmond, proximity to resources like clinics and pharmacies, as well as insurance status, are still shaped by histories of redlining and segregation. In the U.S. people who identify as Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino are disproportionately affected by HIV compared to their population size, showing that effective HIV prevention and treatment are not adequately reaching these communities. People who identify as multiracial are also disproportionately impacted.

According to CDC, approximately 31,800 individuals acquired HIV in the U.S. in 2022. Among these:

  • Black/African American people accounted for 37% (11,900), even though they made up 12% of the population.
  • Hispanic/Latino people accounted for 33% (10,500), even though they represented 18% of the population.
  • Multiracial people accounted for 4% (1,200), even though they represented 2% of the population.

The Office of National AIDS Policy reminds public health organizations and community members to observe this annual event and remain steadfast in their commitment HIV infections and provide essential services to all people living with HIV globally.

The theme of World AIDS Day 2024 is “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress.” According to HIV.gov, this theme encapsulates the U.S. government’s dedication to harnessing the significant progress that has been made through global and domestic HIV programs over the last four-plus decades, working to ensure that no communities are left behind.

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Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are sister public health agencies serving our connected communities. Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs.

Calling it quits: RHHD supports tobacco cessation

Posted on by amberpadilla

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., and 90% of lung cancer cases are related to smoking. If you are a smoker, quitting now is the best thing you can do to keep your lungs healthy.

RHHD sponsors a Free From Tobacco program, which helps Richmond residents quit smoking and other tobacco use. Free From Tobacco Coach Richard Baker says that individualized support is critical for someone taking this big step.

“Statistics show that most people take multiple attempts to quit. It can be such a hard habit or a learned behavior through family members, so we want clients thinking about what they’re buying and using more. We’re helping people learn to feed another part of their brain and to replace the activity.”

Richard wishes more people understood that tobacco cessation—quitting using tobacco products—should also include moving away from vaping. “While vaping may seem like the lesser of two evils, there are still many unknown variables associated with these devices,” he says.

If you’re a Richmond resident, get in touch with the Free From Tobacco program to figure out if personalized coaching and support is the right path for you. You can visit the FFT website or complete the intake form directly at rhhd.gov/tobaccofree. If you live outside Richmond or want to explore other resources, you can also visit Quit Now Virginia for coaching and support options!

Bellamy Riley and Darcy Strayer

Posted on by amberpadilla

 

Where does public health take you? 

DS: Health Education requires networking and reaching our communities where they are. People have busy lives, sex is a part of it, and we want to be a part of their sexual health and well-being.

BR: If you ask people to come to your STI event, they won’t. So we’re at community events at Diversity, at Monroe Park, at local pharmacies, at festivals and events, at rec centers and libraries.


Where did you learn about public health (and who’s your public health hero)? 

BR: Evan Thornburg is a bioethicist who specifically studies misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories as threats to public health. And they come from HIV-land!

DS: Lisa Raville is the woman who turned me into a harm reductionist. She runs the Harm Reduction Action Center in Denver. She’s the first White person I heard say loud and clear: “If incarceration and punishment worked to combat addiction, we would have solved this issue years ago.” You can check out her really good TEDx Talk!


Where were you before public health? 

DS: I come from the world of activist organizing and for me, I just wasn’t seeing a lot of change happening for real people suffering in real time. And I wanted to be kinder to myself. Learning about harm reduction was so powerful for me, because then I could look at my life in every area and say, “where is there harm in my life and how do I reduce it?”


Where would we be likely to find you after work? 

BR: Two out of my five workdays, I go straight to roller derby! I’m either at home or at the roller dome.

 

Random Round! 

What’s Richmond’s best month? 

BR: June. I love the heat, and Richmond is such a river city and that’s when you can really get into it.

 

What are you reading, watching, or listening to right now?

DS: My spouse and I watch a different movie every night. Lately, I’ve been into 90s action. My two faves are Speed and Point Break.

 

What’s your walk-up song? 

BR:  My roller derby team’s roll-out song is Tubthumping by Chumbawamba! In derby workouts, you have to do a full lunge every time you hear the word “down” in that song, so it’s basically team intimidation.

 

Which sandwich best describes your style of working?

DS: An avocado tuna melt. Delicious and filling and just a little bit special.

BR: A deconstructed croque monsieur. Very organized but everything’s separate.

 

Would you rather be a ghost or a dog?

Both: Dogs!