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STIGMA

Stigma is pervasive and impacts whether or not people access HIV prevention, care, and treatment.

Some barriers to accessing services:

  • Fear of a positive HIV status
  • Stigma from the community
  • Rejection from family, friends, partners, etc.
  • Stigma from medical providers
  • Lack of insurance
  • Financial Challenges
  • Lack of transportation

What providers can do:

  • Provide a welcoming environment free from stigma and discrimination
  • Organize diversity training for all staff that includes basic HIV information
  • Take comprehensive sexual risk histories from all patients/clients
  • Learn about PrEP and PEP including how to assess patients/clients for each and develop a mechanism for provision of service or referral for service
  • Follow best practices for medical care of PLWH
  • Adhere to most recent medical protocols
  • All providers of HIV services (prevention, care and treatment) create a more coordinated service continuum

U = U

U=U means Undetectable is Untransmittable. It is an anti-stigma campaign that supports HIV prevention and treatment in that if a person is undetectable, science confirms that they cannot pass the virus.