Feature, Resilience and Results: Ending the HIV Epidemic During the COVID-19 Pandemic

RESILIENCE AND RESULTS:

ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Legacy has been at the forefront of fighting the HIV epidemic since its very beginning. In recent years, the South has become the epicenter of the epidemic, accounting for an estimated 52% of new HIV diagnoses annually while accounting for 38% of the U.S. population. The South is behind in providing essential services for HIV prevention and treatment compared to the rest of the country. For example, 27% of PrEP users in the U.S. in 2016 lived in the South, although more than half of new HIV diagnoses occurred here. In the past year, COVID-19 magnified many of the systemic factors contributing to the epidemic, compelling Legacy to reevaluate its approach in helping to end the HIV epidemic. In 2019, Legacy expanded the number of locations at which it offers free walk-in HIV testing from four to nine, making it easier for community members to find testing nearby. Patient Educators were added to the expanded locations to provide support and linkage to care and financial resources. One important breakthrough in Legacy’s fight against HIV last year was the implementation of same-day PrEP. In the past, it could take patients several visits to a health care provider and several more days or even weeks to get started on PrEP. Legacy launched same-day PrEP so that patients can start the regimen within hours of their testing visit, providing patients with HIV protection the same day they are tested. This has been critical in empowering patients to take control of their health and immediately reduce their HIV risk. At the same time, Legacy’s Public Health and Marketing teams implemented an awareness and engagement campaign to reduce stigma associated with HIV and remove barriers to HIV testing, prevention and treatment. These efforts sought to educate a broad audience about HIV to normalize it, address misconceptions about risk and empower community members to seek testing and care while “owning their health.” While there is still work to be done in the fight to end HIV, Legacy’s innovation and outreach achieved substantial results. In 2019, Legacy provided 3,314 rapid HIV tests and completed 10,287 PrEP prescriptions. Legacy’s roots run deep in local, regional and national efforts to end the HIV epidemic and that commitment continues. While COVID-19 made it more challenging to connect with community members, Legacy opened new channels for people in Southeast Texas to find safe, non-judgmental spaces to engage with their health.

YESSENIA ALVARADO

LEGACY SPANISH AUTISM PARENT SUPPORT GROUP

The first time Yessenia Alvarado heard the word “autism” was the day her son Elieser was diagnosed with the condition. As a toddler, she noticed he would not talk, he did not hear, and that he often clenched his teeth. “He wasn’t doing the same things my oldest child did at his age,” said Alvarado. “I kept asking the doctors what was wrong.”

Initially, Alvarado had a hard time accepting her son’s diagnosis. She would not let him attend family parties for fear he would be ridiculed for his behavior. After an exhaustive search for help, she discovered the Spanish Autism Parent Support Group at Legacy Community Health. “It was a blessing to find the group. At first, I would go by myself and would often cry. I have learned a lot from talking to other families of children with autism. I have gotten a ton of support that has helped me to better understand my son’s diagnosis and how to better manage it,” said Alvarado. In 2012, clinic social workers at Legacy created the Spanish Parent Autism Support Group after discovering a gap in services for Spanish-speaking parents of children living with autism. While families can register to join the group, the majority of parents come to the group through referrals from their clinical social workers. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the group has been meeting virtually. “Any Spanish-speaking parent, legal guardian, or caregiver of a child or children with autism can benefit from being a part of the group,” said Priscila Leal, Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Legacy. “Attending the group has allowed parents to become more empowered in the overall care of their children with autism.” Elieser is now 21 years old and attends college. Alvarado encourages other families to attend Legacy’s Spanish Parent Autism Support Group. She says the information and resources provided by the group will help families find the support they need to live with autism.

SAMANTHA DURAND

LEGACY TELEMEDICINE AND DRIVE-THROUGH LAB TESTING

When Samantha Durand woke up one morning with a painful and itchy blister on her left arm, her family knew she needed immediate medical attention. They called Legacy Community Health and Durand was able to get a telemedicine appointment with her regular provider, Dr. Tamisha Jones.

“Dr. Jones told my mom and me that she was concerned by what she saw on my telemedicine appointment, so she told us to visit the drivethrough tent where a doctor could take a look at it in person,” said Durand. Within an hour of the telemedicine visit, Durand and her mom were at Legacy’s drive-through lab tent located outside the Fifth Ward clinic. Within minutes, her blister was lanced, a sample was collected for lab testing and she was provided with a prescription for a topical antibiotic. For even more convenience, Durand’s mom was able to pick up the medicine at Legacy Fifth Ward’s onsite pharmacy. Getting quick and safe care during the COVID-19 pandemic was especially reassuring for Durand and her parents. Her story highlights the importance of patients having a medical home for routine and more urgent care needs. “It’s incredibly reassuring to know that not only do you have an exceptional pediatrician, but the whole team was there for us despite the global pandemic,” said Jess Ferdinand, Samantha’s mother. “Everyone was professional and kind and made it so easy to navigate this potentially scary situation.” “The approach to comprehensive primary care at Legacy creates partnerships between patients, clinicians, medical staff, and families while improving health outcomes, whether it is during a pandemic or not,” said Dr. Tamisha Jones, Pediatric Medical Director. “Samantha is proof that it works. I checked in with her the next day, and she was feeling much better and tackling her next challenge, online school!”