Breaking Down Barriers to HIV Care in the South
The fight against HIV continues on multiple fronts, and in the southeastern United States, the battle takes on particular significance as the region grapples with disproportionately high infection rates. This World AIDS Day, the urgency for comprehensive and accessible care becomes even more apparent. The South accounts for nearly half of new HIV diagnoses in the United States, with Atlanta itself ranking among the cities hardest hit. Addressing this complex issue requires a multi-pronged approach, from dismantling stigma to ensuring access to affordable treatment.
Demystifying HIV: Breaking Down Stigma
One significant barrier; disadvantaging communities in the battle against HIV is the persistent stigma that surrounds the disease. Folashade Omole, MS.
executive director of Morehouse School of Medicine’s Health Equity for All Lives (H.E.A.L. Clinic), underscores the gravity:
An
“If we demystify HIV, then we’ll get more people willing to do the preventive care as well as go… get tested and then treatment,” Omole tells us.
To combat this stigma, organizations like the H.E.A.L. Clinic actively bring health care into underserved communities, taking the message directly to people who may not feel comfortable seeking it out traditionally.
Moving Beyond Traditional Outreach
Maisa Standifer, director of population health at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute, highlights a crucial point: “Much of the messaging is directed toward men who have sex with men, but Black women account for about 54% of new HIV infections nationally, despite representing less than 15% of the female population, and 91% of these cases occur in heterosexual contact.” It emphasizes the critical need for outreach strategies to be more inclusive and directly target all at-risk groups.
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We also have to be very strategic and specific in terms of how we tailor our communications and making sure it’s culturally responsive to what’s occurring [in that community],” Standifer emphasizes. It’s about meeting people where they are, speaking their language, and understanding the unique factors influencing their health.
Harm Reduction: A Key to Prevention
for many. The progress toward harm reduction programs in Atlanta history, highlighting
how
efforts to fight against policies targeting people who inject drugs have helped mitigate the spread of HIV. The work isn’t solely about access to sterile needles. It’s about building trust and creating an environment where people feel safe to seek help without judgment. After years of operating in a legal gray area, Georgia finally legalized harm reduction in 2019, allowing for the regulation and oversight of their
vital services.
Access to Care: A Challenge for Many
For many living with HIV in the South, access to
affordable care remains a significant stumbling block.
Dr.
Anandi
Sheth
, who serves on the Georgia Harm Reduction Coalition board, points out the need for greater affordability.
“One of the main things is just making sure that women know that those [treatments] exist, and they’re empowered to access them in locations around Atlanta,” Sheth stresses. </p
How does the H.E.A.L. Clinic work to address the stigma surrounding HIV in underserved communities?
## Breaking Down Barriers: An Interview on HIV in the South
**Host:** Welcome back to the show! Today, as we approach World AIDS Day, we’re focusing on a pressing issue: the disproportionately high HIV infection rates in the Southern United States. Joining us to discuss this complex challenge is Folashade Omole, executive director of Morehouse School of Medicine’s Health Equity for All Lives (H.E.A.L. Clinic). Folashade, welcome to the show.
**Folashade Omole:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** The South accounts for nearly half of new HIV diagnoses in the US. What factors contribute to this disparity?
**Folashade Omole:** It’s a multifaceted issue. We see persistent stigma surrounding HIV, which prevents many people from seeking testing and treatment. [[1](https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/07-hiv-human-rights-factsheet-stigma-discrmination_en.pdf) ]This stigma unfortunately leads to isolation and reluctance to engage with health services. Also, systemic factors like poverty, lack of access to affordable healthcare, and limited health education contribute to the problem.
**Host:** You mentioned stigma. How does your organization, the H.E.A.L. Clinic, work to address this challenge?
**Folashade Omole:** We believe in meeting people where they are. We go into underserved communities, offering testing, education, and support services. By demystifying HIV and creating safe spaces for dialog, we aim to reduce stigma and encourage early intervention. As I’ve said, ” If we demystify HIV, then we’ll get more people willing to do the preventive care as well as go… get tested and then treatment. [[1](https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/07-hiv-human-rights-factsheet-stigma-discrmination_en.pdf)]”
**Host:** We’ve heard that traditional outreach strategies may not be reaching everyone effectively.
**Folashade Omole:** Absolutely. Much of the messaging has traditionally focused on men who have sex with men, but we know that HIV affects people of all backgrounds and identities.
It’s vital that our outreach reflects this diversity and addresses the specific needs of different communities, including Black women, who are disproportionately affected by HIV.
**Host:** Thank you for shedding light on this critical issue, Folashade. Your work at the H.E.A.L. clinic is truly making a difference.
**Folashade Omole:** Thank you for having me. We need continued awareness and collaborative efforts to break down barriers to HIV care and ensure everyone has access to the resources they need.
