Facing the Future of HIV Care

Nigeria is the site of world's second largest HIV epidemic, yet many people don't get tested for fear of being stigmatized. 'Slide Safe' delivers HIV testing packages to the homes, offices etc of consumers in anonymous, colourful packages so that people can be tested without anyone knowing.

New Mexico’s veterans are getting faster care as new programs expand to rural areas. Thanks to a host of initiatives, including telemedicine, contracts with community clinics, and travel benefits, the state’s VA health care system has recently seen improvements in appointment wait times for veterans.

Nurse practitioner-led clinics in Ontario, Canada, are open for same-day appointments to care for people without a primary health-care provider and decrease the number of emergency-room patients.

A health clinic in Minneapolis has played a significant role in combating racial gaps in health by prioritizing community-oriented primary care and recruiting staff – including leaders and doctors – from the local community. This model has not just increased trust between patients and the health care system but has also led to a significantly higher rate of vaccination and health screenings.

Health care providers at Summa Health Pride Clinic in Akron, Ohio are transforming the way care is offered to trans and gender nonconforming people by working to reduce barriers that they often face. All staff undergo LGBTQ+ sensitivity training and the clinic is adorned with Pride flags – two parts of the clinic's overall "blueprint," which doctors say "can be duplicated anywhere in the country."

Taiwan's single-payer health care model has helped to guarantee health care access to everyone in the country, no matter their socioeconomic status, geographical location or pre-exisitng conditions. Although the model evolved from a once-broken system, the idea of "one national health insurance plan, run by the government, covering everybody" quickly grew in popularity due to its simplicity, comprehensive benefit structure, and relatively low and consistent premiums.

Rural hospitals throughout the midwest are struggling to stay open, but in Iowa, small successes have been found through partnerships and resourcefulness. From converting the OB-GYN department to an department that provides mental health help to senior citizens to leasing space to larger hospitals for specialty practices, rural hospitals are finding creative ways to keep their doors open.

What started out as a private phone line in a person's house to talk to people suffering from HIV/AIDS has now turned into a mobile e-health clinic that provides both education and medical support. The Medical Advocacy and Outreach Selma clinic aims to eliminate barriers, such as geographical location and stigma, for those with HIV/AIDS while also acting as a touchpoint for those with other primary and mental health care needs.

Injections and implants preventing HIV could be an important breakthrough especially for individuals who can not travel regularly to a health clinic, have trouble remembering to take a pill, or who want to secretly protect themselves.

Two of America’s largest cities, New York City and San Francisco, are working to reduce HIV rates by bringing better health care options closer to the communities and connecting individuals with resources such as insurance and payment methods. Although the two cities are using different approaches, both are seeing early success in fighting against the epidemic.