Have you received a HIV or Hepatitis C (HCV) screening test from your doctor?

Five Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), located in Norwich, Norwalk, Hartford, Torrington and East Hartford, now have funding to provide screening for HIV and Hepatitis C! CHCACT has a grant provided by Gilead Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company located in California, titled Frontlines of Communities in the United States (FOCUS).

FOCUS will increase the availability of HIV and HCV screening, reduce the number of undiagnosed and late diagnosed individuals, in addition to transforming the public perceptions and stigma towards those who wish to receive testing. Basically, the goal is to ensure that everyone who goes to see their doctor is screened for these diseases!

Christina Del Vecchio
Clinical Programs Coordinator

I recently attended the FOCUS Partner Summit in San Francisco where providers presented which methods have been successful and which methods they have struggled with to increasing screening.

The grant also aims to improve linkage to care for people who are HIV and/or HCV positive; identify those who are at high risk of contracting these diseases; and reach out to those who are out of care to improve health outcomes.

Please get in touch if you would like to learn more about the Gilead FOCUS grant!

- Christina Del Vecchio