NBA Legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Secretary of AHCA Simone Marstiller and Clear Health Alliance Team up...
NBA Legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Secretary of AHCA Simone Marstiller and Clear Health Alliance Team up...
Clear Health Alliance (CHA) hosted a conversation today
among health care providers, community leaders and
nonprofit organizations on prevention and care of HIV/AIDS.
NBA Legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson was the spotlight of the
event at the Jacksonville River City Downtown Hotel,
which also featured Secretary Simone Marstiller of the
Agency for Health Care Administration(AHCA).
“I learned of my diagnosis more than three decades ago,
and the world was in a completely different space,”
said Johnson, who is living with HIV. “Now, through research
and innovations, we can combat this virus and disease, and
the stigma associated with it. I’m proud to work with Clear
Health Alliance and our community partners to raise awareness,
promote testing and provide treatment, especially to
African American people, who are at greater risk.”
The event focused on how HIV/AIDS affects Black/African American
people, as February 7 marks National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
While anyone is at risk of HIV/AIDS, a higher population
of Black/African American people are disproportionately affected.
In 2019, Black/African American people represented 13% of the
U.S. population, but 40% of people with HIV.
Clear Health Alliance, a Medicaid Specialty Plan offered
by Simply Healthcare Plans (Simply), is working to increase
awareness, promote prevention and provide treatment among
all Floridians, especially populations at greatest risk.
“Providers with HIV/AIDS education and training are vitally
important to prevent new infections, improve the quality of life
of those living with HIV/AIDS, and help to reduce stigma
and discrimination, often increasing the longevity and
overall health of people living with HIV/AIDS,” said Holly Prince,
President of Simply. “Clear Health Alliance offers care and
specialists uniquely positioned to support our patients living
with HIV/AIDS to ensure that they have access to the
quality care they need and deserve. Prevention, early detection
and effective treatments are critical to ensure Floridians
with HIV/AIDS live long and healthy lives.”
Because some population groups have higher rates of HIV
in their communities, the risk of new infections is greater.
Additionally, a range of social, economic, and demographic
factors such as stigma, discrimination, income, education,
and geographic region can affect people’s risk for HIV
and their HIV-related outcomes.
“With the trend of new infections in Florida, prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment are more important than ever,”
said Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary
Simone Marstiller. “We have an opportunity to make a difference
and end the HIV epidemic in Florida. Partnerships and awareness
events like the one today, with respected voices like
Magic Johnson and Clear Health Alliance, are critical
to that effort.”
Johnson led a panel discussion with health care providers,
where he posed questions to the panelists about effective
prevention methods and what community organizations can do
to increase awareness.
“People impacted by HIV/AIDS not only deserve quality care,
but care that is specific to their needs,” said panelist
Ne’Tosha Dopson-Woodall, PA-C, MCMS, Physician Assistant,
Florida Department of Health, Duval County. “Clear Health
Alliance provides specialized care that helps patients
with HIV/AIDS live long, healthy lives.”
“Currently, there is no cure for HIV. Prevention is key to
limit the impact on at-risk communities,” said panelist
Daniel J. Downer, Executive Director, The Bros in
Convo Initiative. “Prevention starts with education.
Our discussion today helps raise awareness for HIV/AIDS
prevention and care. We’re all in this together to
combat HIV/AIDS.”
“Science has shown us that we can end the HIV epidemic,
but it will take concerted, community-centered efforts
backed by partners at all levels of government,” said
panelist Donna Sabatino, RN, ACRN, Director of State Policy
and Advocacy, The AIDS Institute. “To be successful,
we need to address the needs of the most marginalized members
of our society. Programs like this spotlight the work that still
needs to be done and keeps the conversation going.”
The audience consisted of 100 health care providers,
community leaders and nonprofit organizations with a
vested interest in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment
among Black/African American communities.
According to the latest data from the Florida Department
of Health, more than 117,000 Floridians live with HIV.
In 2019, the state reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention nearly 5,000 new infections, which
is the highest number of new infections nationwide.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness was started in 1999
as a grassroots education effort to raise awareness about
HIV and AIDS prevention, care and treatment in
Black/African American communities. The observance is an
opportunity to increase HIV education, testing, community
involvement and treatment among Black/African American
communities – topics the CHA panel discussion echoed
and elaborated on.
