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Health News Posts

At White Party 2018: HIV and HCV Tests, …

by Desert AIDS

Desert AIDS Project and Riverside University Health System-Public Health want to make sure the roughly 30,000 fun seekers who descend on Palm Springs for the 2018 White Party know their HIV and Hepatitis C status during the event. And this year, vaccinations for Hepatitis A will be offered to those interested.

Starting in 2017, Hepatitis A outbreaks in San Diego, Los Angeles and Santa Cruz have left California cities struggling to contain the spread of the virus, which primarily affects the homeless, drug users, and individuals involved in high-risk sexual behavior. But since the virus can be passed by consuming contaminated food, water or ice, it is possible for people outside these groups to contract it.

“We see offering HIV and HCV testing as integral to stomping out both epidemics,” said Bruce Weiss, director of Community Health at D.A.P. “The more people know their status, the less likely they will accidentally spread either virus, and we can link them to care.”

Desert AIDS Project’s Get Tested Coachella Valley team will be on hand to conduct HIV and HCV testing and to assist those affected to find treatment, all three days of the event. Riverside University Health System-Public Health will be offering vaccinations for the Hepatitis A virus on Friday and Saturday.

“The collaboration between Public Health and D.A.P. is one example of community partners coming together to tackle some critical health issues,” said Kim Saruwatari, director of Public Health. “We agree that getting tested and learning your status is empowering and a key to slowing the spread of illness.”

Please see below for the schedule of testing and vaccination information.

Friday, April 27            10:30a.m. to 6p.m.
Renaissance Hotel        Mobile Van, Valet Parking Lot
D.A.P. for HIV and HCV
Riverside University Health System-Public Health for Hep A vaccine

Friday, April 27             10p.m. to 2 a.m.
Renaissance Hotel- Pueblo Room
D.A.P. for HIV and HCV

Saturday, April 28        10a.m. to 6p.m.
Renaissance Hotel- Pueblo Room
D.A.P. for HIV and HCV
Riverside University Health System-Public Health for Hep A vaccine

Sunday, April 29           3p.m. to 6 p.m.
Inside T-Dance (next to Impulse tent)
D.A.P. for HIV and HCV

To learn more about hepatitis care at D.A.P., click here.
To learn more about STI screening at D.A.P., click here.

Desert AIDS Project Offers Medical Home …

by Desert AIDS

For Immediate Release
Contact: Jack Bunting, PR Specialist
Tel: (760) 656-8472
Email: [email protected]

Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) announced an alliance with Sanctuary Palm Springs (SPS), a transitional residential program providing housing and independent life skills for foster youth who are 18-to-21 years old. Residents will be able to turn to D.A.P. for their medical, dental, mental health, transgender care (both medical and psychological), HIV education, drug and alcohol counseling, employment counseling and pharmacy needs.

The alliance was showcased today at a ribbon cutting at the newly remodeled SPS residence in Palm Springs, with a keynote from Mayor Robert Moon, and congratulatory addresses by city councilmember Lisa Middleton, and D.A.P. chief executive officer David Brinkman.

“This is going to really help youth at risk to get on their feet,” said Mayor Moon. “We’re so grateful for our community supporting this.”

Several community members and supporters, including the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, local media, and volunteers stood in the front yard of the home for the ribbon cutting.

Embracing the humanitarian dedication of Sanctuary SPS founders LD Thompson and David Rothmiller, D.A.P.’s David Brinkman said the two organizations were perfect to unify for this endeavor.

“Together by leveraging all the goodness standing in this front yard today,” said David Brinkman, CEO, “we will help people actualize their full potential in life.”

Sanctuary Palm Springs is the creation of filmmakers and authors David Rothmiller and LD Thompson. Their goal is to provide LGBT teens in foster care a family home environment, a place of safety and stability. A caring and professional staff provide emotional support, in addition to an emphasis on education and the arts.

“Sanctuary Palm Springs is the first program of it’s kind,” said David Rothmiller, co-founder. “While providing housing, as well as education and employment opportunities to LGBT+ youth as they prepare to leave foster care, our home is a place of safety, where these kids can be who they were meant to be.”

Palm Springs interior designer Christopher Kennedy chose many of the fixtures, lighting and accessories for Sanctuary Palm Springs. All six bedrooms also are adorned with brand new MODE furniture, provided by Revivals Stores.

About Desert AIDS Project
Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) is a Federally Qualified Health Center in Palm Springs, CA offering D.A.P. Total Care – a combination of medical, dental, counseling, social services, support groups, alternative therapies, in-house pharmacy and lab, and other health and wellness services.  D.A.P.’s sexual health clinic, The DOCK, offers STD testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and free HIV and HCV testing. D.A.P.’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign, the nation’s first region-wide HIV testing and access to care initiative, was recognized by the White House for helping to bring about an AIDS-free future.  D.A.P. is rated a “Top 20 HIV Charity” by About.com. Visit www.desertaidsproject.org, www.thedockclinic.org, and www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org to learn more.

About Sanctuary Palm Springs
Sanctuary Palm Springs (SPS) is a Transitional Housing Program specifically designed to meet the needs of the LGBTQ community of foster youth transitioning to adulthood.

If you are 18 – 21 and are – or have been in – foster care and you would like to have a safe, welcoming home in which to successfully transition to adulthood, Sanctuary Palm Springs is the place for you.

Call us today to begin the application process. (760)766-3500. If you know someone who needs the additional support available through the THP+FC program, please share this site with them.

To find out more about Sanctuary Palm Springs, visit www.facebook.com/LGBTSanctuaryPalmSprings, www.twitter.com/sanctuaryps, and www.sanctuarypalmsprings.org to learn more.

Undetectable = Untransmittable at The Co …

by Desert AIDS

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) verified in September that achieving viral suppression continuously for six months with antiretroviral therapy will prevent HIV transmission. But Bruce Richman, executive director of Prevention Access Campaign, had been telling people that for a while.

Come hear Richman talk about Prevention Access Campaign’s efforts to get the message out nationally about this monumental finding, and learn about what barriers still exist. He will also talk about strategies for safe loving and healthy living now that we know undetectable equals untransmittable!

The first 50 people will receive two complimentary drinks and free passed appetizers.

Safe-sex dolls campaign depicts real-lif …

by Desert AIDS

By Will Dean, Desert Outlook

They are not the Ken and Barbie of your childhood fantasies – they’re more modern, relevant and, well, real.

On Jan. 1, Desert AIDS Project launched a new safe-sex campaign using dolls to illustrate the lived experiences of Coachella Valley residents. In an effort to help educate adults who are at risk for HIV and promote the use of PrEP as a safe-sex option, billboards and signs featuring the dolls have been strategically placed across the valley.

Read the full Desert Sun article here.

D.A.P. Receives Elton John AIDS Foundati …

by Desert AIDS

Desert AIDS Project is the proud recipient of a $10,000 renewal grant from the Elton John AIDS Foundation to provide HIV testing in the Coachella Valley.

This renewal grant supports Desert AIDS Project’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign goal to reduce HIV transmission in high-risk, underserved populations by continuing to provide access to free testing and linkage to care. In addition, this grant will support implementation prevention strategies to increase community awareness of HIV, its risk factors and transmission modes; and help to provide comprehensive services to promote retention in care and adherence to treatment.

Desert AIDS Project launched Get Tested Coachella Valley with over 100 community partners in 2014 to combat shockingly high HIV prevalence rates in their service region. This renewal grant supports a scaled-up service profile for this program to reach an expanded pool of at-risk populations over the next year. HIV testing and counseling services will also include linkage to care.

HIV testing and linkage to care activities also raise awareness of and facilitate access to PrEP and PEP as HIV prevention measures for high-risk populations. The program’s Public Health Liaisons will include expanded HIV prevention education to include important strategies about these HIV prevention tools into ongoing presentations to healthcare professionals.

Desert AIDS Project’s (D.A.P.) mission is to enhance and promote the health and well-being of their community. D.A.P. is the largest, most comprehensive AIDS service organization serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties of Southern California. Over the past year, the D.A.P. provided primary medical care, behavioral healthcare, oral healthcare, and comprehensive social services to over 4,200 people of all races and ethnicities in 2016.

 

2017 HIV and Aging Conference

by Desert AIDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Event Contact: JP Allen
Desert AIDS Project
(760) 898-0133
[email protected]

D.A.P. Contact: Tom Tarr
(760) 656-8464 direct
[email protected]

SAVE THE DATE: September 15, 2017
Local Organizations Present “Aging Positively”
A Free Conference Focusing On Seniors with HIV
on National HIV/AIDS & Aging Awareness Day

PALM SPRINGS, CA (August 21, 2017) – On Friday, September 15th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Mizell Senior Center. The day is also National HIV/AIDS & Aging Awareness Day.

The eight organizations are: Desert AIDS Project, The Clinton Foundation, Let’s Kick ASS, The Cathedral City Senior Center, The Joslyn Senior Center, The LGBT Community Center of the Desert, Jewish Family Service of the Desert and Mizell Senior Center.

“D.A.P. is proud and excited to collaborate with these dedicated organizations that provide comprehensive services to Coachella Valley’s aging population living with HIV/AIDS,” said Bruce Weiss, Director of Community Health at Desert AIDS Project. “We want to thank each of the conference speakers, committee members and the Mizell Senior Center who donated their time and effort to make this conference free of cost and open to everyone.” Weiss will serve as host and moderator for the event.

According to the Riverside County Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS, 2015 report: 28.8 percent of all people living with HIV in the Coachella Valley are 60 or older. From 2006 through 2015 over half of all HIV cases diagnosed in the Coachella Valley are among adults 45 years old or older. The average age of persons living with HIV in the Coachella Valley is 52.1 years, compared to 40.2 in the rest of the county.

The conference features four noted speakers who will each present a 20 minute program followed by a 10 minute Q&A. At noon a complimentary lunch will be served to all attendees.

“HIV and Aging: Risks and Resiliencies” presented by Jill Gover, Ph.D. Jill Gover is the Director of The Scott Hines Mental Health Clinic at The Center. She is a clinical psychologist, specializing in addiction, anxiety, depression, aging, and LGBT issues.

“Isolation of Older Americans” presented by Woody Bloch. Woody Bloch is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and the Clinical Director at Jewish Family Service of the Desert. He also continues to provide counseling to children, adolescents, their families and adults and has done so for the last eleven years. Joining him is Judy Monetathchi, who is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Geriatric Case Manager at Jewish Family Service of the Desert. She currently counsels individuals and families, facilitates a women’s group on Healthy Relationships, and works with seniors on finding solutions to various needs they may have.

“Sexual Health and How to Talk to Your Provider” presented by Tulika Singh, MD., along with Eric Jannke, local HIV advocate. Dr. Singh is a Board Certified HIV Specialist, and an Infectious Disease and Internal Medicine Physician, working in HIV care since 2009. Prior to joining the Desert AIDS Project, she worked as a Primary Care and Infectious Disease Specialist at North Ottawa Community Hospital in Grand Haven, Michigan. Joining Dr. Singh on stage is Eric Jannke. He is an HIV advocate and serves in the leadership of Let’s Kick ASS (AIDS Survivor Syndrome) Palm Springs. He’s also a client volunteer for Desert AIDS Project.

“The Transition from Private Insurance to Medicare” presented by Roger Townsend. Roger Townsend, MD is a retired physician who has been a practicing anesthesiologist at the regional trauma center in Mission Viejo, CA. He retired to the Coachella Valley and has been a volunteer registered Medicare Counselor with HICAP for several years. Currently, Dr. Townsend regularly sees HICAP clients at the Palm Springs LGBT Center.

Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) is a Federally Qualified Health Center in Palm Springs, CA offering D.A.P. TotalCare – a combination of medical, dental, counseling, social services, support groups, alternative therapies, in-house pharmacy and lab, and other health and wellness services. D.A.P.’s sexual health clinic, The DOCK, offers STD testing and treatment, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and free HIV and HCV testing. D.A.P.’s Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign, the nation’s first region-wide HIV testing and access to care initiative, was recognized by the White House for helping to bring about an AIDS-free future. D.A.P. is rated a “Top 20 HIV Charity” by About.com. Visit: www.desertaidsproject.org, www.thedockclinic.org, and www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org to learn more.