Society

[Audio] World AIDS Day This Thursday, Heartland Cares Turns 20

WKMS | By Tracy Ross,

Published November 28, 2016 at 7:28 PM CST

On Sounds Good, Tracy Ross speaks with Heartland CARES Executive Director Sean Oslin about World AIDS Day 2016 and Heartland Cares plans for 2017.

This Thursday is World AIDS Day and events are planned in Paducah, Murray, and Hopkinsville. For the full schedule, click here. Oslin says HIV/AIDS treatment has improved dramatically since the 1980’s and people can live a normal life for 30 to 40 years if they are diagnosed and begin treatment early.

This year is Heartland CARES 20^th Anniversary. The organization raises awareness that HIV/AIDS is still in the region and helps people get tested and access treatment. Heartland CARES covers 15,000 square miles, serving 400 clients in western Kentucky and Southern Illinois. Oslin estimates there are between 25 to 50 percent more people in the area who either do not know their status or do know their status and are not seeking treatment.

Oslin says there are many psychosocial issues that accompany an HIV diagnosis, like substance abuse and homelessness. He says some people may find getting tested or seeking treatment less pressing than other problems, like finding a place to sleep for the night.

“You know, our program, we try to take care of all that. We’re not just a medical program. We offer case management, nutrition services, we have a food bank, we have a housing program, we offer transportation assistance for medical programs,” Oslin said. “We offer a full range of services to try to get people in, get people on treatment, and keep them on treatment.”

Oslin says treating HIV/AIDS is both a medical and a public health issue that has important societal benefits. He says providing treatment improves individuals health and reduces the risk they will transmit the disease to someone else.

In 2017, Heartland CARES is restarting its prevention program with help from the local health department, the state government, and the Centers for Disease Control. CDC Consultants will come in to speak with current clients to determine what barriers people face when trying to access treatment.