 NCAAN volunteers educate the public about HIV/AIDS issues such as health care disparities. | Preserving the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)It is imperative to maintain funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and to maintain our state’s commitment to ensuring that low-income HIV+ North Carolinians have early and uninterrupted access to anti-retroviral medications. Early, uninterrupted access to life-saving HIV medications is a critical, cost-effective public health strategy.
ADAP prevents the spread of HIV: Early, uninterrupted treatment with anti-retroviral medications is a highly effective means of reducing the spread of HIV. Studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals show as much as a 67% lower rate of new HIV infections in communities where HIV+ people are taking anti-retroviral medication compared to communities where HIV+ lack these medications. Interruptions in drug treatment lead to increases in people’s viral loads and make them more likely to develop drug-resistant strains of the virus. These outcomes are bad for people’s health and increase the risk of transmission. ADAP reduces health care costs: Antiretroviral drugs help to keep PLWHA well enough to lead productive lives and avoid costly hospitalizations. Medical costs for treating PLWHA rise significantly when their health declines. Peer-reviewed medical journals studying the relationship between CD4 counts (a high count is a key measure of health in HIV+ individuals) and medical costs show that medical expenses are more than 2.3 times as high for those with low CD4 counts as for those with strong CD4 numbers. ADAP saves lives & allows HIV+ people to be productive: ADAP provides life-saving medications to low-income people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), allowing them to live, work, and contribute to their communities. People who have been on these medications and stop taking them due to loss of job or insurance coverage face serious health consequences that often lead to costly hospitalizations. |
Supporting HIV Prevention & Testing
Prevention and testing efforts are a critical part in increasing
awareness of HIV status and actively linking HIV positive individuals into
care. NCAAN supports state prevention and testing funding. We advocate for adequate
prevention and testing program funding from the state, for state funding for harm reduction (specifically a syringe exchange program), and the implementation of the Healthy Youth Act.
Challenging HIV-Related Stigma & Discrimination
Stigma continues to be a major barrier to accessing healthcare and support services in North Carolina, with negative implications for accessing prevention, testing, and care. Stigma impacts both individual and public health. NCAAN works to increase public awareness and advocacy campaign efforts through public education, education of service providers, HIV/Advocacy Day, collaboration with policy-makers, and collaboration with faith based entities to decrease stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.
Strengthening Advocacy
NCAAN
serves the entire state of North
Carolina. We facilitate and coordinate the advocacy and educational efforts of ASOs,
individuals, care providers, and other HIV/AIDS advocates. As we grow, we connect with those who
have already undertaken advocacy activities, helping train and mobilize those who
wish to begin advocacy activities, ensuring that the diverse population of
PLWHA in North Carolina
are engaged in these advocacy activities, and connecting to non HIV-specific
organizations with shared interests in health care access and social justice.
Promoting Harm Reduction
Not all North Carolinians are
ready to stop using drugs or performing sex work. Thus non-judgmental
based harm reduction services are necessary, which treat every person,
regardless of their circumstance or condition, with dignity and respect. Harm
Reduction interventions work with active users and sex workers and aid them
reduce their risks of acquiring and spreading HIV, STDs and Viral Hepatitis
through their risk behaviors. These services are vital in a state that has over
25,000 urban injection drug users, over 200,000 active crack users and
thousands of sex workers.
NCAAN advocates for the legalization of Evidence Based Harm Reduction Interventions including Syringe Exchange Programs (SEPs) using grassroots mobilization, our annual advocacy day, and cooperation with politicians seeking to pass a bill that would allow SEPs to operate legally. NCAAN also advocates for funding of harm reduction strategies from cities and the state, and increases public awareness and advocacy campaign for the increase utilization of harm reduction methodology.
NCAAN advocates for the legalization of Evidence Based Harm Reduction Interventions including Syringe Exchange Programs (SEPs) using grassroots mobilization, our annual advocacy day, and cooperation with politicians seeking to pass a bill that would allow SEPs to operate legally. NCAAN also advocates for funding of harm reduction strategies from cities and the state, and increases public awareness and advocacy campaign for the increase utilization of harm reduction methodology.
Improving Transportation
Transportation has been an obstacle for accessing care in NC, especially in rural areas. Public transit is limited; the high cost of private transportation is a barrier for both individuals and community-based organizations. NCAAN advocates for policy changes to enhance transportation options, and advocates for adequate funding for transportation through Ryan White.
