Press Releases: Northern California
November 30, 2009
Kaiser Permanente Marks World AIDS Day with Grants to Encourage Testing for HIV/AIDS Among Young People
Seven groups in Northern California share more than $500,000 for screening, prevention
Oakland, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente has awarded more than $500,000 in Community Benefit grants to seven Northern California organizations to increase HIV testing and counseling among youth — in particular African-American and Latino youth ages 15 – 24. This focus supports a goal of preventing new HIV/AIDS infections in populations disproportionately affected by the epidemic and reducing health disparities.
The grants were made in advance of World AIDS Day (Dec. 1). One-year Community Benefit grants of up to $75,000 went to seven organizations in communities with the highest incidence rate for HIV and AIDS in Northern California.
“These grants are part of our long-standing commitment to prevention and reducing health disparities,” said Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente’s regional vice president, External and Community Affairs. “They are also an example of how we are responding to increased community needs during these uncertain economic times.”
Kaiser Permanente is focusing support for organizations that provide HIV testing among youth of color based on research from the Centers for Disease Control that shows:
- Racial and ethnic minorities represent 70 percent of new AIDS cases.
- One-third of new infections occur in people under 30.
- Over 20 percent of those infected with HIV are unaware of their status.
Organizations were selected for their abilities to provide screening to the targeted population as well as to connect clients with HIV/AIDS support services — education to help clients stay HIV-negative and case management for those who test positive.
The San Francisco AIDS Foundation will use their grant to expand their rapid HIV/RNA testing services, targeting 18- to 24-year-old men.
The Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center, also in San Francisco, plans to increase outreach to African American and Latino males, as well as transgender youth.
In Oakland, the grant will help the HIV Education and Prevention Project of Alameda County run a peer-driven testing and education program that connects HIV-positive youth and young adults directly to care and treatment.
Through unique placement in school health centers as well as Express sites and clinics, Planned Parenthood Shasta-Diablo will use their grant to test at least 3,300 youth in Antioch, Richmond, Vallejo and Walnut Creek.
Similarly, the Tri-City Health Center, serving Fremont, Hayward and Livermore, will use its grant to expand its field HIV testing program, reaching young people in places such as clubs and motels.
In Santa Clara County, Asian Americans for Community Involvement will use its grant to expand outreach and testing through partnerships with city colleges, homeless shelters and substance abuse programs.
The Center for AIDS Research, Education, and Services in Sacramento will use its grant to reach 10,000 young people, including an expansion of their youth-oriented Think Twice social marketing campaign.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. In 2008, Kaiser Permanente proudly directed approximately $1.17 billion to support community benefit programs and services through research, community-based health partnerships, and direct health coverage for low-income families and collaboration with community clinics, health departments and public hospitals. For more information, go to www.kp.org/newscenter.
