AIDS Foundation of Chicago

Last updated
AIDS Foundation of Chicago
AbbreviationAFC
Location
  • 200 W Monroe St STE 1150
  • Chicago, IL 60606
President/CEO
John Peller
Website https://www.aidschicago.org/

AIDS Foundation of Chicago is a locally based, non-profit organization that advocates for HIV/AIDS prevention as well as serves as a general resource for the HIV/AIDS community. Founded in 1985, [1] some of their better-known accomplishments include hosting fundraisers to support the distribution of HIV/AIDS related medications in the city, funding the Open Door Health Center, [2] and launching their “Getting to Zero” plan. [3] Their cause seeks to increase the amount of resources available to the HIV/AIDS community as resources are too few and far between. Similar to other city organizations focused on sexual health such as Howard Brown Health, AFC makes getting access to treatment easier for all patients, decreases the stigma around treatment, and promotes the awareness and acceptance of those who live with HIV and/or AIDS.

Contents

History

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago was founded in 1985. [4] In 2012, the organization established community-based HIV testing and set up partnerships with medical homes to initiate care within 72 hours for individuals found to be HIV positive. [5]

Projects

Getting to Zero Illinois Plan

The AIDS Foundation Chicago, Chicago Department of Public Health, and Illinois Department of Public Health have come up with a five-year plan designed to reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS while providing a continuum of needed health services. [6] On May 14, 2019 Governor J. B. Pritzker announced the Getting to Zero Illinois initiative. The plan exponentially increases the number of health and public workforce to meet the constant challenges of those who are affected by HIV/AIDS. The increase workforce will target the hardest hit areas of Illinois that lack the resources to address HIV/AIDS. Improving communications between state health groups organizations and community groups allows for a continued focus on lowering the transmission of HIV/AIDS. Together the groups will monitor progress of their plan to end the HIV epidemic in Illinois. [7]

Pride Action Tank

The Pride Action Tank is a project initiated by the AFC, in collaboration with Howard Brown Health. The purpose of the Pride Action Tank, is to provide resources to LGBTQ+ communities living within Chicago's Southside, who lack the resources necessary to fight HIV and AIDS. [8]

AIDS Garden Chicago

The AIDS Garden Chicago is a series of public monuments located within a 2.5-acre area along Lake Michigan. The AIDS Garden Chicago is a collaboration effort between the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the Chicago Park Foundation. This garden is meant to recognize and remember the progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS as well as to commemorate and empower those who are still fighting the disease. [9]

Events

AIDS Run and Walk

The AIDS Run and Walk is an annual event that takes place at Soldier Field in Chicago with the overall goal of raising money for the AFC. This event takes place every fall and has raised over $100,000 in the past. [10]

World of Chocolate

World of Chocolate is an annual event put on by the AFC. This event is put on in order to further advance efforts to end HIV/AIDS. – and to also advance efforts. This event takes place every December at Revel Fulton Market, in Chicago's West Loop area. World of Chocolate invites/encourages various restaurants, bakeries and other vendors in Chicago to attend this event. In previous years, the World of Chocolate event has raised over $200,000 from event sponsors, vendors and individual donors. [11]

Services

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago offers testing, financial assistance, medication, and housing. HIV, HCV and other types of STI testing are available through the AFC; along with HIV education for those who are diagnosed and in need of assistance handling their symptoms and diagnosis. Medication for those who are not diagnosed with HIV, but wish to prevent the infection is available as well; in the form of Pre-exposure prophylaxis, commonly referred to as PrEP. Financial Assistance for those with HIV or other disabilities is also offered, through case management. In the most extreme cases, the AFC also provides permanent and temporary housing to those who are homeless and diagnosed with HIV, AIDS, or another disability. [12]

Partners

The AFC was one of the founding organizations of the International Rectal Microbicide Advocates.

Sponsors

In 2021, the AFC received a $5,000 grant from Pfizer to support the foundation's Annual Advocacy Day. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HIV/AIDS in the United States</span> HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States

The AIDS epidemic, caused by HIV, found its way to the United States between the 1970s and 1980s, but was first noticed after doctors discovered clusters of Kaposi's sarcoma and pneumocystis pneumonia in homosexual men in Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco in 1981. Treatment of HIV/AIDS is primarily via the use of multiple antiretroviral drugs, and education programs to help people avoid infection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS</span>

The Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) advises the White House and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the US government's response to the AIDS epidemic. The commission was formed by President Bill Clinton in 1995 and each president since has renewed the council's charter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention</span> HIV prevention strategy using preventative medication for HIV-negative individuals

Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention, commonly known as PrEP, is a form of medication used to prevent HIV infection, the cause of HIV/AIDS.

Howard Brown Health is a nonprofit LGBTQ healthcare and social services provider that was founded in 1974. It is based in Chicago and was named after Howard Junior Brown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HIV/AIDS in Russia</span> Situation around HIV/AIDS in Russia

The situation with the spread of HIV/AIDS in Russia is described by some researchers as an epidemic. The first cases of human immunodeficiency virus infection were recorded in the USSR in 1985-1987. Patient zero is officially considered to be a military interpreter who worked in Tanzania in the early 1980s and was infected by a local man during sexual contact. After 1988—1989 Elista HIV outbreak, the disease became known to the general public and the first AIDS centers were established. In 1995-1996, the virus spread among injecting drug users (IDUs) and soon expanded throughout the country. By 2006, HIV had spread beyond the vulnerable IDU group, endangering their heterosexual partners and potentially the entire population.

The history of HIV/AIDS in Australia is distinctive, as Australian government bodies recognised and responded to the AIDS pandemic relatively swiftly, with the implementation of effective disease prevention and public health programs, such as needle and syringe programs (NSPs). As a result, despite significant numbers of at-risk group members contracting the virus in the early period following its discovery, Australia achieved and has maintained a low rate of HIV infection in comparison to the rest of the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe</span> Major public health issue

HIV and AIDS is a major public health issue in Zimbabwe. The country is reported to hold one of the largest recorded numbers of cases in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to reports, the virus has been present in the country since roughly 40 years ago. However, evidence suggests that the spread of the virus may have occurred earlier. In recent years, the government has agreed to take action and implement treatment target strategies in order to address the prevalence of cases in the epidemic. Notable progress has been made as increasingly more individuals are being made aware of their HIV/AIDS status, receiving treatment, and reporting high rates of viral suppression. As a result of this, country progress reports show that the epidemic is on the decline and is beginning to reach a plateau. International organizations and the national government have connected this impact to the result of increased condom usage in the population, a reduced number of sexual partners, as well as an increased knowledge and support system through successful implementation of treatment strategies by the government. Vulnerable populations disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe include women and children, sex workers, and the LGBTQ+ population.

There is a relatively low prevalence of HIV/AIDS in New Zealand, with an estimated 2,900 people out a population of 4.51 million living with HIV/AIDS as of 2014. The rate of newly diagnosed HIV infections was stable at around 100 annually through the late 1980s and the 1990s but rose sharply from 2000 to 2005. It has since stabilised at roughly 200 new cases annually. Male-to-male sexual contact has been the largest contributor to new HIV cases in New Zealand since record began in 1985. Heterosexual contact is the second largest contributor to new cases, but unlike male-to-male contact, they are mostly acquired outside New Zealand. In 2018 the New Zealand Government reported a “major reduction” in the number of people diagnosed with HIV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HIV/AIDS in Canada</span>

HIV/AIDS was first detected in Canada in 1982. In 2018, there were approximately 62,050 people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada. It was estimated that 8,300 people were living with undiagnosed HIV in 2018. Mortality has decreased due to medical advances against HIV/AIDS, especially highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health in Ghana</span>

In precolonial Ghana, infectious diseases were the main cause of morbidity and mortality. The modern history of health in Ghana was heavily influenced by international actors such as Christian missionaries, European colonists, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. In addition, the democratic shift in Ghana spurred healthcare reforms in an attempt to address the presence of infectious and noncommunicable diseases eventually resulting in the formation of the National Health insurance Scheme in place today.

The relationship between religion and HIV/AIDS has been an ongoing one, since the advent of the pandemic. Many faith communities have participated in raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, offering free treatment, as well as promoting HIV/AIDS testing and preventative measures. Christian denominations, such as Lutheranism and Methodism, have advocated for the observance of World AIDS Day to educate their congregations about the disease. Some Churches run voluntary blood testing camps and counselling centers to diagnose and help those affected by HIV/AIDS.

The first HIV/AIDS case in Malaysia made its debut in 1986. Since then, HIV/AIDS has become one of the country's most serious health and development challenges. As of 2020, the Ministry of Health estimated that 87 per cent of an estimated 92,063 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Malaysia were aware of their status, 58 per cent of reported PLHIV received antiretroviral therapy, and 85 per cent of those on antiretroviral treatment became virally suppressed. Despite making positive progress, Malaysia still fell short of meeting the global 2020 HIV goals of 90-90-90, with a scorecard of 87-58-85.

Discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS or serophobia is the prejudice, fear, rejection, and stigmatization of people with HIV/AIDS. Marginalized, at-risk groups such as members of the LGBTQ+ community, intravenous drug users, and sex workers are most vulnerable to facing HIV/AIDS discrimination. The consequences of societal stigma against PLHIV are quite severe, as HIV/AIDS discrimination actively hinders access to HIV/AIDS screening and care around the world. Moreover, these negative stigmas become used against members of the LGBTQ+ community in the form of stereotypes held by physicians.

Treatment as prevention (TasP) is a concept in public health that promotes treatment as a way to prevent and reduce the likelihood of HIV illness, death and transmission from an infected individual to others. Expanding access to earlier HIV diagnosis and treatment as a means to address the global epidemic by preventing illness, death and transmission was first proposed in 2000 by Garnett et al. The term is often used to talk about treating people that are currently living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) to prevent illness, death and transmission. Although some experts narrow this to only include preventing infections, treatment prevents illnesses such as tuberculosis and has been shown to prevent death. In relation to HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a three or more drug combination therapy that is used to decrease the viral load, or the measured amount of virus, in an infected individual. Such medications are used as a preventative for infected individuals to not only spread the HIV virus to their negative partners but also improve their current health to increase their lifespans. When taken correctly, ART is able to diminish the presence of the HIV virus in the bodily fluids of an infected person to a level of undetectability. Consistent adherence to an ARV regimen, monitoring, and testing are essential for continued confirmed viral suppression. Treatment as prevention rose to great prominence in 2011, as part of the HPTN 052 study, which shed light on the benefits of early treatment for HIV positive individuals.

In LGBT culture, red dress parties are events in which people wear red dresses, regardless of gender. The Red Dress Party fundraising event began in Portland, Oregon in 2001, with only 75 people in attendance.

Chicago Foundation for Women (CFW) is a nonprofit grantmaking organization that focuses on creating opportunities and resources for women in the Chicago area. Many Chicago based organizations such as South Side Giving Circle and LBTQ Giving Council further help women that face violence, poverty, and discrimination using the resources from CFW. CFW receives donations from individuals and corporations, grants from other organizations, the MacArthur Foundation, and partners, The Eleanor Neal foundation, to invest in organizations providing services to Chicago area women in need.

The first case of HIV in a woman was recorded in 1981. Since then, numerous women have been infected with the HIV/AIDS virus. The majority of HIV/AIDS cases in women are directly influenced by high-risk sexual activities, injectional drug use, the spread of medical misinformation, and the lack of adequate reproductive health resources in the United States. Women of color, LGBT women, homeless women, women in the sex trade, and women intravenous drug users are at a high-risk for contracting the HIV/AIDS virus. In an article published by the Annual Review of Sociology, Celeste Watkins Hayes, an American sociologist, scholar, and professor wrote, "Women are more likely to be forced into survival-focused behaviors such as transactional sex for money, housing, protection, employment, and other basic needs; power-imbalanced relationships with older men; and other partnerings in which they cannot dictate the terms of condom use, monogamy, or HIV." The largest motivator to become part of the sex trade was addiction, the second largest being basic needs, and the third was to support their children/family.

American International Health Alliance (AIHA) is a nonprofit organisation aiming for assisting the global health. The organisation has managed more than 175 partnerships and project across the globe. In 2012, AIHA obtained the support of President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief [PEPFAR] project to strengthen the blood service in Central Asia, Ukraine, and Cambodia. Due to its structure based on the programmatic modal and dynamic condition, this organisation is suitable to assist the community or worldwide countries which have limited resources, and it is beneficial for sustainable evolution. AIHA is contributing to improve the worldwide health conditions. This organisation has been associated and largely contributed in the HIV-related area since 2000.

Ready, Set, PrEP is a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that provides free access to the HIV prevention medication PrEP for thousands of qualifying individuals. The program is a key component of Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America (EHE) initiative to expand access to PrEP and reduce new HIV diagnoses in the U.S.

Caprice Carthans, a trans woman of color and resident of Marquette Park (Chicago), was a co-chair of the Intergraded Community Advisory Board (CAB) at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) and is an inductee of the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 2020.

References

  1. "AIDS FOUNDATION OF CHICAGO – Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame" . Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  2. Ferrarin, Elena (2019-12-12). "Changes at Open Door Health Center in Elgin alarm some staff members". Daily Herald. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  3. "Fighting AIDS: 'Getting to Zero' goal of House Majority Leader". WJBC AM 1230. 2019-05-15. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  4. "Milestones". aidschicago.org. 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  5. "Foundation Develops Community-Based HIV Testing and Partnerships With Medical Homes, Leading to More Timely Linkages to Care for Newly Diagnosed Patients". Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  6. "Get to Zero Plan Illinois HIV plan".
  7. "GETTING TO ZERO ILLINOIS PLAN :Getting to Zero Illinois". gtzillinois.hiv. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  8. Schencker, Lisa. "'There's always been a dearth of resources for the LGBTQ community on the South Side.' Now, Howard Brown Health has a multimillion-dollar plan to change that". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  9. "New AIDS Garden Chicago to unveil 30-foot sculpture, Self-Portrait - Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News Archive". Windy City Times. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  10. "Dean Richards' Sunday Morning | September 8th, 2019 | AIDS Foundation of Chicago CEO, John Peller, Cast of Paramount Theatre Newsies". WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own. 2019-09-08. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  11. Jordan, Candace. "World of Chocolate's cocktails in an 'igloo' and 1940s ocean liner vibe help raise money for AIDS Foundation of Chicago". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  12. "Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)". www.chicago.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  13. "US Medical, Scientific, Patient and Civic Organization Funding Report: Q1-Q2 2021" (PDF). Pfizer. 2021-09-27. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-05-03. Retrieved 2023-05-10.