Dec 16, 2024 Story by: Editor
Folashade Omole, executive director of Morehouse School of Medicine’s H.E.A.L. Clinic (Health Equity for All Lives), underscores the importance of discussing health care in everyday venues like barbershops, beauty salons, and even spaces where conversations about sexually transmitted diseases might seem unconventional. The clinic, a student-led initiative, is dedicated to serving communities of color and under-resourced populations in Georgia.
Medical professionals and students volunteer at facilities like the Good Samaritan Health Center and Morehouse Healthcare clinics. Omole emphasizes that addressing stigmas, particularly around HIV, is critical for preventive care. “If we demystify HIV, then we’ll get more people willing to do the preventive care as well as go, you know, get tested and then treatment,” Omole said.
The South faces a significant challenge in managing HIV, with nearly half of all new U.S. cases reported in the region. Atlanta ranks among the top five cities nationally for individuals living with HIV.
This year’s World AIDS Day on December 1 adopts the theme “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress,” highlighting the ongoing need for collaboration in tackling the epidemic.
Addressing the Disparities
Despite comprising less than 15% of the U.S. female population, Black women account for 54% of new HIV infections, with 91% of cases arising from heterosexual contact. “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],” explained Maisha Standifer, director of population health at The Satcher Health Leadership Institute.
Programs focusing on harm reduction have been pivotal in curbing the spread of diseases among vulnerable populations. Dr. Anandi Sheth, a professor at Emory School of Medicine and board member of the Georgia Harm Reduction Coalition, advocates for empowering women with accessible prevention tools. “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 said.
The Coalition’s efforts began in 1995, addressing the rising rates of HIV and hepatitis tied to injection drug use. Legal frameworks now support these initiatives, helping to expand their reach.
Building Trust and Engaging Communities
Christopher Ervin, director of community-based initiatives at Morehouse, stresses that genuine engagement with communities is key. “Too often the reason why people are resistant to help is because we don’t listen to them or we don’t understand them,” Ervin said. This approach involves being present and responsive, rather than employing short-term interventions, often referred to as “parachuting.”
Efforts to build trust extend beyond Atlanta to under-resourced areas like Dougherty and Meriwether counties, where health fairs serve diverse groups and communities. “You’re not going to look at Albany, Savannah, Augusta, Macon, Birmingham; you’re going to come [to Atlanta] for your care,” Ervin added.
Making Care Affordable
Organizations like Ryan White Clinics and Grady Health System provide critical support for at-risk populations. These services often include medication assistance programs to reduce or eliminate costs for preventive treatments like PrEP.
State lawmakers like Rep. Sharon Cooper have proposed measures to expand Medicaid coverage for individuals with HIV before the disease progresses to AIDS. “In the long run, it is cheaper to help people that are HIV-positive correctly… before they have a chance to develop full-blown AIDS, which is astronomically expensive to treat,” Cooper argued.
Although prevention efforts face financial challenges—medications to manage HIV can cost thousands of dollars monthly—advocates continue to push for legislative action. Cooper anticipates that stalled bills will resurface in future sessions.
Why Black Women Are Central to These Efforts
Historical barriers and systemic inequities have left Black women disproportionately affected by health crises like HIV. Community researchers and advocates aim to rebuild trust by addressing historical wrongs, offering transparency, and ensuring culturally relevant care. Black women also play vital roles as family caregivers, meaning their health directly impacts broader community well-being.
Collaborations with community organizations, including historically Black sororities and faith-based groups, have shown promise in fostering engagement and education. As Dr. Omole, Standifer, and Sheth emphasize, collective efforts rooted in trust and empowerment can lead to lasting change for Black women and their communities.
