Kaiser Permanente Southern California Announces $238,000 in Grants For Organizations Serving People Living with HIV/AIDS

Pasadena, CA – More than 30 years ago, HIV/AIDS first came to the world’s attention and today there are still more than 1.2 million people in the United States living with the disease. It is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that one in five of those infected do not know they are HIV positive. Although the disease no longer captures the media spotlight that it once did, there is still a tremendous need to provide prevention education, as well as health care, counseling and services to those affected by the disease. About 50,000 individuals become infected each year.

In observance of World AIDS day (Dec. 1), Kaiser Permanente Southern California announced it has given nearly $238,000 in grants to Southern California non-profit organizations that provide HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Since 2001, Kaiser Permanente Southern California has awarded almost $4 million in Community Benefit HIV/AIDS grants.

“Kaiser Permanente has been providing grants to HIV/AIDS-related agencies since 1989,” said William Towner, MD, director of the HIV Medical Care Program for Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “We have a strong commitment to supporting other non-profits that provide HIV prevention programs to our community as well as the services and support needed by individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS.”

The 21 grant recipients from across Southern California provide services ranging from dental care, housing assistance, HIV testing and outreach, drug prevention programs and meal assistance. They all strive to prevent new HIV infections through education, by connecting HIV-positive patients with high quality care, and by reducing disparities among minority populations.

Some of the grant recipients include:

AIDS Service Center in Pasadena, which improves the lives of the most vulnerable individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS by providing food and emergency supplies. ASC also improves the health of the community through educational programs aimed at preventing new HIV infections. ASC received $25,000 for HIV/AIDS basic needs services and prevention.

The Center Orange County received $15,000 for support of its HIV prevention program. The mission of The Center Orange County is to advocate on behalf of the Orange County LGBT community, and to provide services that ensure its wellbeing and positive identity.

Líderes Campesinas of Riverside received $25,000 to help prevent HIV/AIDS among farmworker women in the Coachella Valley. The mission of Líderes Campesinas is to develop leadership among farmworker women so that they serve as agents of political, social and economic change in the farmworker community.

Project Angel Food received $22,000 for their programs that deliver meals to people disabled by HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and South Bay.

Kaiser Permanente is a leader in caring for patients with HIV and AIDS. Across the country, Kaiser Permanente has treated more than 50,000 people since the beginning of the pandemic and currently provides care to an estimated 20,000 HIV-positive patients. In Southern California, Kaiser Permanente has an outstanding record of successful HIV clinical outcomes:

·         91 percent of our HIV-infected patients enter into HIV specialty care in a timely manner.

·         92 percent of our HIV-infected patients are retained in care.

·         85 percent of our HIV-infected patients are on antiretroviral therapy.

·         96 percent of our HIV infected patients on antiretroviral therapy have achieved an optimal viral response to these medications.

As a result, the HIV mortality rate for Kaiser Permanente Southern California is less than 1 percent, far below the U.S. national average.

“This impressive record is a result of Kaiser Permanente’s integrated care model with our HIV specialists, pharmacists, nurse care coordinators and social workers all contributing to our success,” said Dr. Towner. “These multidisciplinary teams are aided by a fully-integrated HIV registry and electronic medical record.  Our program also continues to benefit from a robust HIV clinical trials program.”

World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people around the world to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV, and commemorate those who have died.