November's word is appropriately FAMILY!


Every family is special in its own way, including yours. Our hope is that you get to surround yourself with the people who mean the most to you over the holidays. 


The final quarter of 2024 provides several opportunities to rally around our friends and family. On November 11, we paused to honor the veterans in our lives. To each of you who served this country, we express our deepest gratitude. Additionally, we just hosted a webinar with community service providers in rural areas about health disparities in their communities, specifically around HIV/AIDS. The Let's Talk About It! Rural Health Day webinar can be viewed here.


Thanksgiving is much later in the month than usual and it runs right into World AIDS Day on Sunday, December 1. What are your plans to promote health equity for World AIDS Day? If you need a post to show your support, we’ve got you. Download one of our prepared messages below to post it on your social media platforms in support. Don’t forget to use our hashtags when you post (#GeorgiaThrives, #EndtheEpidemic, #MSMSHLI). 


As always, thank you for being a part of the Morehouse School of Medicine SHLI Georgia Thrives community. We are READY TO GO and will not stop until everyone has access to the information and resources they need to thrive!

Meet Quintin R. Robinson, MD

Staff Physician - Infectious Diseases

AbsoluteCARE Medical Center and Pharmacy


Quintin Robinson, MD, is an infectious diseases physician at AbsoluteCARE Medical Center and Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Robinson’s medical training began at Morehouse School of Medicine, where he later completed his residency in internal medicine and served as Chief Resident at Grady Memorial Hospital. His Infectious Diseases Fellowship at the University of Maryland focused on domestic HIV.


Dr. Robinson is board-certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases, certified by the American Academy of HIV Medicine as an HIV Specialist and a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. He has also served as a clinical consultant to the Southeastern AIDS Education and Training Center Minority AIDS Initiative.

On October 24, Fort Valley State University partnered with the MSM SHLI Georgia Thrives team for a very impactful Health & Hope Workshop Series. The event provided an opportunity for attendees to receive vital training and earn a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification. The certification equips individuals with the skills to provide essential support during mental health crises, fostering a safer and more understanding community. Because of the overwhelming response, plans are in the works for future sessions. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming workshops.


A special thank you to our trainer, Mr. Andrew Felton, executive director of Peach County Family Connection Interagency Council, Inc.; Fort Valley State University for hosting the event; and the US Department of Health and Human Services/SAMHSA Division for additional funding support. Participants represented leadership from Morehouse School of Medicine, Morris Brown College, North Central Health District, Peach County Family Connection IAC and Americorps.

Students and alumni from Fort Valley State University and Albany State University, two historically Black colleges and universities, gather each year in Columbus, Georgia for the Fountain City Classic. While a rivalry football game plays out on the field at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, the fun truly kicks off at the tailgate. Our own Dr. Maisha Standifer took the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with attendees about the importance of health awareness and the necessity of knowing your status.

This month, we continue our Q&A series with Dr. Lawrence Bryant, PhD, MPH, BSW, RRT, on HIV/AIDS and aging populations. This is part two of the three-part series. Dr. Bryant is a trailblazer with over four decades of expertise in public health.


Q: What are the most effective strategies for preventing HIV transmission among older adults?


A: A game changer came in 1996 with the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which is now the standard of care in the US. Miraculously, this medication resulted in a dramatic decline in AIDS-related deaths. According to the CDC, HAART has become so effective that when taken as prescribed, the virus can be rendered undetectable. This means that the amount of HIV in a person's blood is so low that it can't be detected by a viral load test. The most important thing about this is that a person with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus to another person. We call this U=U or Undetectable = Untransmittable.


Another game-changer was the introduction of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in 2012. This medication is for HIV-negative persons, is highly effective and helps prevent HIV transmission for those at risk of contracting HIV, including older persons.


Q: How do social determinants of health, such as access to health care and socioeconomic status, affect older adults living with HIV/AIDS?


Click on "Read More" below to see the answer to this question and more!

READ MORE

Join Dr. Lawrence Bryant on Friday, December 12


If you want to learn more from Dr. Bryant, please join him for the "Health Disparities Among LGBTQ+ Persons: Achieving Health Equity in Mental Health and SUD Services" webinar on Friday, December 12 at 12 p.m. ET. Click on the link below to register and join.

Register for the webinar

HEALTH EQUITY TRACKER UPDATES COMING!


Less than a year ago, the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine launched its new Health Equity Tracker module to track cardiovascular and HIV medicine adherence. We are excited to share that the Health Equity Tracker will soon integrate cancer data to help identify and address disparities in health outcomes across different populations and regions. Specifically, we plan to add screening data and rates for lung, breast, colon, prostate and cervical cancers. This addition will allow users to explore patterns in cancer incidence, mortality and screening rates, helping communities and healthcare providers better understand and address cancer-related health inequities. The updates are expected by the end of the year.

Check out the Health Equity Tracker

DR. MAISHA STANDIFER HAS CANDID CONVERSATION WITH GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING


Recently, Dr. Standifer sat down for an in-depth interview with Ellen Eldridge, senior healthcare reporter at Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB). Annually, GPB publishes a data-driven statewide report on the state of HIV/AIDS in Georgia. This year, Eldridge is creating a feature that includes information from the experts on what they currently see in rural communities. Along with Dr. Standifer, Eldridge interviewed Morehouse School of Medicine's Dr. Folashade Omole, professor and the Sarah and William Hambrecht Chair of Family Medicine, and adjunct faculty professor Dr. Christopher Evans. The interview will be published for World AIDS Day on December 1.

World AIDS Day - December 1, 2024


As we approach World AIDS Day 2024, it's important to harness the power of social media to spread awareness and foster a sense of family in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Thoughtful and impactful posts can help educate, inspire and mobilize our communities. By sharing these messages, we can contribute to ending the stigma and ensuring a brighter future for all. Join us in this digital movement and make a difference with every post you share. We’ve made it easy – Just download one or more of these prepared posts and use the hashtags #WorldAIDSDay2024 #EndTheEpidemic #HIVAwareness #MorehouseSchoolOfMedicine #SHLI #GeorgiaThrives.


Also, remember to tag Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) and Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI) in your posts.

Did you know that early detection and treatment can lead to a long, healthy life? This #WorldAIDSDay, let's unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS by raising awareness and empowering each other. Know your status and take control of your health. We are in this together to end this together. 



#GeorgiaThrives #EndHIVStigma 

#EndtheEpidemic #KnowYourStatus #WAD2024 #MSMSHLI

Today is #WorldAIDSDay and it's the perfect time to honor the resilience and courage of people in our lives who are living with HIV/AIDS. Whether publicly or privately, let them know you are here for them, commit to getting tested, and spread love and support through hugs, acceptance and understanding.



#Yourstorymatters #GeorgiaThrives #HugsForHealing  #EndHIVStigma 

#EndtheEpidemic #KnowYourStatus #WAD2024 #MSMSHLI

Take action this #WorldAIDSDay! Attend local events, participate in awareness campaigns or volunteer at a nearby health facility. Every step counts in bringing us closer to an AIDS-free generation. Let's make a difference together! Be part of the change. 


#GeorgiaThrives #EndHIVStigma 

#EndtheEpidemic #KnowYourStatus #WAD2024 #MSMSHLI


The Satcher Health Leadership Institute encourages everyone to get tested and know their status. Click here (pages 37-38) to view a listing of local area testing sites (Source: NIH-funded Center for AIDS Research at Emory University). Together, we can mark another milestone in the Black community's ever-evolving history of better tomorrows and brighter futures.

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