DAP’s Team Reaches Out in New Ways
Weekend Wrap Message – Saturday, August 1, 2020, From David Brinkman, Desert AIDS Project CEO
DAP Talks: Getting the Most Out of Your Healthcare
Not knowing where to turn to access care and medication can be overwhelming for someone with HIV if they’ve lost a job or insurance, and especially if they need food and help with housing. There are more services and programs available than many patients realize.
People in need have a friend in John Machado, Clinic Case Manager, who takes each client’s access to care personally. He is an expert at uncovering ways to attain health and services, based on each client’s unique story and his own 27 years of experience serving people throughout California. “I’m here to help. One person can change another”, Machado proudly shares.
Listen to his DAP Talks below.
Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 marked World Hepatitis Day.
Community Health Department Reaches Out to Recovery Professionals
Worldwide, 290 million people are living with viral hepatitis and are unaware. The theme for 2020 is to call on people to act and raise awareness in finding the “missing millions.” DAP acted by providing a virtual Hepatitis C event to substance use and treatment professionals across Riverside and San Bernardino County.
C.J. Tobe, Director of Community Health at DAP, spoke about how the COVID-19 pandemic makes testing and treatment for other epidemics more urgent.
“One thing we learned through the AIDS crisis is viruses do not discriminate. Anyone can get a virus.
We have witnessed this for decades with HIV, Hepatitis, and now recently with COVID. We know social determinants of health is the driver for black and brown communities, and people living in poverty are disproportionately affected.
Now, as the entire world is faced with the COVID crisis, it is more important than ever to work together to keep our finger on the pulse of other epidemics, especially the silent epidemic known as Hepatitis C that preceded COVID.”
Did You Know?
DAP Community Health Department team members are certified phlebotomists which allows HIV confirmatory tests to be drawn via our mobile unit, connecting the client to DAP’s Health Center to begin rapid ART for HIV.
The PBT license also allows Community Health staff to administer STI testing in the mobile unit.
5 Habits That Improve Physical Resiliency
Dr. Singh, HIV Specialist, Associate Chief Medical Officer & Director of Research, is noticing that patients of hers with certain habits are experiencing better health outcomes during this pandemic. According to Dr. Singh “COVID-19 has upended our daily routines, our future, and our lifestyles. It’s crucial to get sleep, physical activity, eat well, and manage stress, to care for yourself right now.”
Top 5 Things PLWHA Should Do for Physical Resiliency
- Exercise and maintain a healthy weight
- Keep hydrated with water and electrolytes
- Eat right and minimize alcohol consumption
- Take HIV medications regularly
- Do yogic breathing to strengthen lungs
Important: Adhering to social distancing guidelines, wearing face coverings, and washing hands often are required for any additional health and wellness practices to be effective.
Don’t Drop the Ball on Your Health
Many people from across the Coachella Valley get their primary medical care at DAP, and no matter what health profile they fit, life during this pandemic can make it challenging to maintain good health. If you’re neglecting your health, it’s likely in one of the following four areas, according to Dr. Tulika Singh.
Top 4 Areas Neglected Most During COVID-19
- STI prevention and screenings
- Behavioral health visits for depression or anxiety
- Eating right, keeping a healthy weight, reducing alcohol
- Keeping routine checkups and lab work with Primary Care doctor
Dr. Singh has this helpful tip: “Telehealth services at DAP provide care to patients in a timely way via an easy phone call or video visit while minimizing the transmission risk of COVID-19.
Additionally, take breaks from watching and reading news stories, including social media, as hearing about the pandemic repeatedly is distressing.”