APICHA Programs Update

Upcoming Events

WORLD AIDS DAY
Date: December 1,, 2010
Join APICHA as we continue to raise awareness and call to attention the still prevalent HIV/AIDS epidemic and stigma. For this worldwide event APICHA will be hosting a series of events that we hope will bring the work of APICHA and the fight again HIV/AIDS to the fore of the community.
For more information on what we have planned for World AIDS Day, stay posted on APICHA’s website: apicha.org/events or follow us on twitter @APICHAPrograms.

Ask a Surgeon: What to Consider when Planning FTM Top Surgery
Date: Monday, December 6, 2010 Time: 7-9 pm
Location: APICHA, 400 Broadway, 10013, NYC
Featuring Dr. Alexes Hazen of NYU Medical Center

Check Your Parts! Cancer Self-Examinations for Folks of All Genders
Date: March 2011, exact date and time TBA*
Location: APICHA, 400 Broadway, 10013, NYC

*For more information and to stay up to date on more Project Connect Workshops, contact us at projectconnect@apicha.org or call 646-744-0990.Or follow Project Connect on twitter @ProjConnect

Program Highlights

Georgia on My Mind

By Yi-Hao “Jackie” Wu, Peer Educator, LGBT Program

I was fortunate enough to be chosen to attend a special Community Consultation Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia organized by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The summit focused on the needs of young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and young transgendered (YTG) persons of color. Although I have Georgia stuck in my mind after the fun and exciting trip, the meeting was more mind-blowing than the trip itself. It was such an honor to meet so many persons of color - in all shapes and sizes - who do similar work to APICHA throughout the country. Being there, listening to what everybody had to say and the issues they are going through in their organizations reaffirmed the work I do at APICHA through EquAsian and rekindled my passion for HIV prevention.

In the conference room, full of at least 150 people, I was probably the only Asian or Pacific Islander (API) there. I have never felt so highlighted by my ethnicity before. I felt overwhelmed by all the strong personalities. I felt the need to speak for my community and other smaller communities who were not represented because other folks are busy watching out for their own community. In many ways, that is what APICHA doing right now; we are one of the only organizations that has a focus on HIV/AIDS prevention among API YMSM. It’s very important to make sure that everybody is represented.

Being the only Asian there says a lot about our community’s representation in the HIV/AIDS community. It made me realize how invisible we are. At one point during the conference, a representative from the CDC said that there hasn’t been enough research done and there is a lack of numbers for some groups such as APIs, Native Americans, and Transgender people. In addition, API are regarded as low risk based on the little data presented to the CDC. However, due to the lack of research, the data should not represent the level of risk. There’s still much work to be done to generate more representation and visibility in the API community!

*Jackie is a Peer Educator under the YMSM, LGBT Program. He has been with APICHA for more than a year now and continues to be one of APICHA’s strongest emerging youth leaders.

Case Management: In the Nick of Time

By Client Services

A 30 year-old pregnant woman arrived in the U.S. from China nine months ago. During her 2nd trimester of pregnancy, she was routinely tested for HIV, and was found to be HIV-positive. With her limited English and lack of understanding about the U.S health care system, she did not know what to do. Her GYN doctor did not manage HIV-infected women, and referred her to APICHA for HIV care. Client Services (CS) immediately assigned a staff member who is bilingual and bicultural to provide her with assistance (e.g., navigation to prenatal care, HIV treatment adherence and education). Shortly after she was enrolled in the APICHA clinic she started HIV medication to reduce the risk of HIV transmission to her child. Her APICHA Primary Care Provider (PCP) Elizabeth has been closely monitoring her. However, she experienced severe nausea one weekend and called the Client Services (CS) department’s emergency phone requesting assistance. Once the CS staff was notified of the client’s symptoms, the client’s PCP was immediately notified, and upon the PCP’s instruction the CS staff member coordinated the client to be evaluated at the closest Emergency Room (ED). The PCP was able to provide the ED with the client’s medical information. The CS staff member also called the ED staff and Labor/Delivery department to secure Chinese-speaking staff members for the client. Throughout the day, CS called the client several times to check on her and provide support. Client was discharged the next day, and reported back thanking CS for the help and support.

Important Fact*: “The number of infant HIV/AIDS cases in 2005 was only one-third the number reported in 1994. A major factor in this decline is the increasing use of prophylaxis before, during, and after pregnancy to reduce perinatal transmission of the virus. In 1994, the U.S. Public Health Service began to recommend prophylaxis for all HIV-positive pregnant women; since 1995, HIV counseling and voluntary testing have been recommended for all pregnant women. In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new and updated materials to further promote universal prenatal HIV testing.”

Resource: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Women's Health USA 2007. Rockville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2007.

Past APICHA Event Highlights:

Nurturing Fall Transitions—An Introduction to the Healing Power of Reiki
Date: Tuesday, October 19th Time: 7pm
Location: APICHA, 400 Broadway, 10013, NYC

The focus is part of A Healthier Me! Workshop Series. Allisonjoy is a Reiki Master Practitioner and has been committed to healing through Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki since 2004. She believes in the benefits that holistic healthcare can provide on physical, emotional and spiritual levels and sees both western and holistic modalities as truly complementary forms. Attendees will understand a brief history of this healing practice and share the many ways it can benefit health and well being.

Taxi Workers Alliance Testing Event, LaGuardia Airport

Date: Tuesday, September 21st Time: 9-5 pm
Location: La Guardia Airport

HIV testing and health screening event at LaGuardia Airport with the New York Taxi Worker’s Alliance (NYTWA).

National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Date: Monday, September 27th Time: 6:30-8:30 pm

A group and presentation by Jarron Magallanes, LGBT Program Manager and Larry Tantay, Community Health Education Coordinator, and Dr. Robert Murayama, CMO.

Taxi Workers Alliance Testing Event, JFK Airport

Date: Tuesday, September 28th Time: 9-5 pm
Location: John F. Kennedy International Airport

HIV testing and health screening event at JFK Airport with NYTWA.

APICHA 21st Anniversary Gala, A Thousand and One Champions Gala

Date: Wednesday, October 13th Time: 6:30pm
Location: Grand Hyatt Hotel, NYC

Please join APICHA as we commemorate 21 years of service to the Asian and Pacific Islander communities and recognize the achievements of a distinguished group of individuals who have supported APICHA’s mission.

*Click for more info. : APICHA 21st Anniversary Gala, A Thousand and One Champions Gala

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5:30pm
Clinic Hours: M/T/F: 9:30am-5:30pm, W/Th: 9:30am-7pm
HIV Testing Hours: M/T/Th/F: 10:30am-4:30pm, W: 1:30pm-6:30pm
To make an appointment for testing, please call Infoline: 866-APICHA9 (866-274-2429)
To make an appointment for medical care, call: 212-334-6029

To support APICHA and our initiatives, please visit: www.apicha.org/contribute
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ABOUT ASIAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER COALITION ON HIV/AIDS, INC.

Asian & Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Inc. (APICHA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 located in New York City. APICHA’s mission is to improve the health of our community and to increase access to comprehensive primary care, preventive health services, mental health and supportive services. We are committed to excellence and to providing culturally competent services that enhance the quality of life. APICHA advocates for and provides a welcoming environment for underserved and vulnerable people, especially Asians and Pacific Islanders, the LGBT Community and individuals living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. For more information, visit: www.apicha.org.