Breaking HIV Stigma: Real Talk on U=U, Treatment & Community Support | My City Talks

12/16/24 • 49 min

In this inaugural episode of My City Talks Health, host Larry Twitty Jr. sits down with HIV advocates Destiny Smith and Alicia Mercado for an enlightening discussion about HIV awareness, treatment advances, and breaking down persistent stigmas. From explaining U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) to navigating healthcare systems in Iowa, our guests share personal insights and vital information about HIV resources and support services.

Show Notes:

Key Topics Discussed:

Understanding U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) and its impact on HIV prevention
PrEP and PEP: What they are and how to access them in Iowa
Available case management services through Ryan White funding
Addressing HIV stigma and misconceptions in healthcare and community settings
Unique challenges of HIV healthcare access in rural Iowa
Support systems and resources for newly diagnosed individuals
Social media advocacy and addressing misinformation
Healthcare disparities and solutions for marginalized communities

Featured Guests:

Destiny Smith: HIV advocate, author, and social media influencer
Alicia Mercado: Health Equity Educator with Nucara Capacity Extension

Resources Mentioned:

Stop HIV Iowa: stophiviowa.org
PrEP Iowa: prepiowa.org
Ryan White Program Services
The Project of the Quad Cities (mobile testing unit)

Follow Destiny Smith:

Facebook: @Destiny Smith
TikTok: @Destiny Smith
Instagram: @Destiny Smith
LinkedIn: @Destiny Smith

Notable Quotes: "Nothing in my life has changed except for me popping a pill every single day and that's it." - Destiny Smith

"Systems were not set up to effectively serve everybody. And so those are huge barriers." - Alicia Mercado

Support Services Available:

Transportation assistance
Medical case management
Grocery assistance
Dental and medical insurance support
Mental health services
Utility and rental assistance

Contact Information for Testing and Resources:

Mobile testing units available
Free testing services
Confidential support and counseling

Take Action:

Get tested - it takes just 10 minutes
Share information within your community
Support local HIV awareness initiatives
Challenge stigma and misconceptions
Engage in community conversations about HIV

Next Episode Preview: Stay tuned for more discussions on community health issues that matter to you.

Show Notes:

Key Topics Discussed:

Understanding U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) and its impact on HIV prevention
PrEP and PEP: What they are and how to access them in Iowa
Available case management services through Ryan White funding
Addressing HIV stigma and misconceptions in healthcare and community settings
Unique challenges of HIV healthcare access in rural Iowa
Support systems and resources for newly diagnosed individuals
Social media advocacy and addressing misinformation
Healthcare disparities and solutions for marginalized communities

Featured Guests:

Destiny Smith: HIV advocate, author, and social media influencer
Alicia Mercado: Health Equity Educator with Nucara Capacity Extension

Resources Mentioned:

Stop HIV Iowa: stophiviowa.org
PrEP Iowa: prepiowa.org
Ryan White Program Services
The Project of the Quad Cities (mobile testing unit)

Follow Destiny Smith:

Facebook: @Destiny Smith
TikTok: @Destiny Smith
Instagram: @Destiny Smith
LinkedIn: @Destiny Smith

Notable Quotes: "Nothing in my life has changed except for me popping a pill every single day and that's it." - Destiny Smith

"Systems were not set up to effectively serve everybody. And so those are huge barriers." - Alicia Mercado

Support Services Available:

Transportation assistance
Medical case management
Grocery assistance
Dental and medical insurance support
Mental health services
Utility and rental assistance

Contact Information for Testing and Resources:

Mobile testing units available
Free testing services
Confidential support and counseling

Take Action:

Get tested - it takes just 10 minutes
Share information within your community
Support local HIV awareness initiatives
Challenge stigma and misconceptions
Engage in community conversations about HIV

Next Episode Preview: Stay tuned for more discussions on community health issues that matter to you.

Previous Episode

Improving Health Equity through Community Health Collaborative: Interview with Dr. Lucas Carr

In this episode, host Elizabeth Dix interviews Dr. Lucas Carr about his work with the Community Health Collaborative and the Vitalis study, as well as the importance of addressing physical inactivity in primary care settings. They also discuss the role of equity in their mission and ways for students and community members to get involved.

Show notes:
0:00 Introduction
1:12 Dr. Lucas Carr's background and work with the Community Health Collaborative
4:35 The importance of addressing physical inactivity in primary care settings
7:10 Collecting and analyzing data on physical activity to address health inequities
11:12 The Vitalis study and its focus on young adult cancer survivors
15:30 Expanding the Vitalis program and focusing on health equity
20:53 Changes in the community in the last five years and opportunities for involvement
23:48 How to support the Community Health Collaborative and access their services
25:40 Conclusion and podcast outro

About the host: Elizabeth Dix is a student at the University of Iowa, studying health promotion and marketing. Elizabeth is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health.

Next Episode

Caring Across Cultures: Bridging Gaps in Migrant Healthcare with Naomi Marroquin

In this episode of My City, My Health, host Laurna Evans Lindsay sits down with Naomi Marroquin, a dedicated healthcare team leader serving migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Iowa. Naomi shares her journey from growing up in an immigrant-rich community to advocating for better healthcare access. She discusses the challenges migrant workers face, the impact of mobile clinics, and the importance of bilingual and bicultural healthcare professionals.

00:00 - 00:18 | Introduction to the Podcast & Guest
00:19 - 03:12 | Naomi’s Background & Passion for Migrant Health
03:13 - 05:10 | The Role of a Community Health Worker
05:11 - 07:35 | Challenges in Healthcare Access & Resource Limitations
07:36 - 09:30 | The Importance of Mobile Clinics for Migrant Workers
09:31 - 11:07 | How Being Bilingual & Bicultural Shapes Patient Care
11:08 - 13:37 | Needed Improvements in Healthcare for Migrant Populations
13:38 - 16:31 | Advice for Future Healthcare Professionals
16:32 - 19:23 | Avoiding Burnout & Self-Care as a Healthcare Worker
19:24 - 21:21 | Closing Remarks & Where to Find Naomi

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Join Us! If you're in the Iowa City, IA area, join us on April 18 for the next My City My Health Conference. Students can register for FREE! Register now at www.mycity.health.

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