HIV/AIDS Cases On The Rise In Pee Dee Region As CareSouth Carolina Works To Get Everyone Tested

As we recover from the shadows of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are just beginning to see the challenges of how this pandemic has caused communities to stop or delay many of the health treatments necessary. This is true both in South Carolina and across the nation. But that fact is clearly known in the underserved communities that face HIV/AIDS, says Hope McQueen, the Program Director of Care Innovation at CareSouth Carolina.

McQueen is an HIV/AIDS specialist at CareSouth Carolina, where she works with HIV/AIDS clients and families every day. And what she is seeing is alarming, she says. “After two years of the pandemic, we have noticed that HIV/AIDS cases are on the rise and that many people are going without being tested for the disease,” stated McQueen. McQueen went on to say that the lack of testing is the biggest reason why HIV/AIDS cases in the Pee Dee and across the Palmetto State continue to grow. According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Services (SCDHEC), the number of known cases of HIV/AIDS in South Carolina is 19,337. And that is the number of knowncases, but McQueen and her team believe that there are many more that have not been counted because people are not getting tested because of the pandemic. But the reason many people are not being tested goes deeper than just the pandemic: some people simply don’t want to know their status, while others are afraid that people will find out their status. But McQueen says that everyone should be tested every year. Even people that are married should be tested because while one person in the marriage may be faithful, that doesn’t mean that the other partner is faithful. In fact, McQueen and her team suggest that everyone should make HIV/AIDS testing a part of their annual health check-up, no matter their relationship status.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, many people have gotten comfortable and don’t think about HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases, but health experts say that’s a comfort that people living in underserved communities can’t afford. This is particularly true given the many healthcare issues that members of those communities were already experiencing. At local health care facilities, people from underserved communities have a 29 percent higher death rate than do whites.

While McQueen points out that the cases of HIV/AIDS continue to rise, there is hope for those with HIV/AIDS. First, people that have not been tested can get tested at any testing center in South Carolina, even if they want to go to another city or county to take the test. For those who test positive, CareSouth Carolina has experts in the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS along with the support provided by the group’s community partners. McQueen says that with the services they offer, clients can live a long and pain-free life without the concern of dying from HIV/AIDS. If the disease is managed and treated with medications, there will be little chance of clients spreading the disease during sexual activity.

Supported by a grant from the Ryan White Foundation, which supports the HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) to help low-income people with HIV/AIDS. The group provides outpatient ambulatory health services and support for people with HIV/AIDS, as well as help for community-based groups to strengthen their capacity to deliver high-quality HIV/AIDS care.

CareSouth Carolina, through Care Innovations,provides comprehensive HIV/AIDS primary health care for individuals in Dillon, Chesterfield, Darlington, Lee andMarlboro Counties. These services are made possiblethrough a federal Ryan White Part C grant. Patients can have a "one-stop" shop experience at CareSouth Carolina. The level of service is exemplary, compassionate and catered to the individual and his or her needs.

Services

• Medical - Quality HIV/AIDS primary health care begins with easy access in the local community.Importantly, CareSouth Carolina physicians and clinicians are well-versed in the proper protocols and deliver compassionate and confidential care. They also provide services to more than just HIV/AIDS clients.

• Pre- and Post-test Counseling - We offer voluntary testing and counseling and maintain confidential records. We use an interactive model that focuses on a personalized HIV risk­reduction plan.

Medications - Access to proper medications is essential for HIV/AIDS clients. We not only provide the proper regimen [JR6] of medications but also ensure access to those medications for those without the financial ability to obtain them.

• Care Management - At its core, our HIV/AIDScare is founded on a chronic care management model. An AIDS Certified Registered Nurse provides care management for clients, ensuring they have a treatment plan and receive seamless service provided by those with the skills and opportunities that are necessary for patients to be able to manage their condition.

• Behavioral Health - One-on-one and group mental health counseling services are provided by counselors who understand the needs of HIV/AIDS clients. Counselors assist with everything from substance abuse to depression, and they provide the opportunity for clients to experience positive lifestylechanges.

Like the group’s medical care, these services are provided in an integrated primary care setting that alleviates the stigma associated with behavioral health services.

• Dental - Dental services, a crucial component of HIV/AIDS care, are provided along with payment for limited services.

• Transportation - We understand that a lack of transportation can be a barrier to getting needed care, so we provide limited transportation services for clients.

• Outreach - We also understand that persons who are struggling with HIV/AIDS do not live in the medical office: they are out in our communities, living their day-to-day lives. We provide the staff and resources to educate, assess and facilitate the use of services for those out in the community.

• Support Groups - Programs for men, women, and children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS are crucial for clients and their families. The programs focus on psycho-social issues that are impacted by the disease. We also offer educational support groups.

• Referrals - We make certain that clients receive the services they need by offering access to a referralnetwork that includes everything from specialist care to hospitalization.