Outreach | CARES Clinic

While African Americans make up less than 7% of the population in Sacramento County, 22% of the patients at CARES are African American.
40% of the women at CARES with HIV/AIDS are African American.
Latinos move from HIV to AIDS faster than any other group of people. This is thought to be because the disease is diagnosed late and treated late.
Gay men and particularly gay men of color, still make up the majority of those infected with HIV. 64% of newly diagnosed cases are men who have sex with men, including those men who both inject drugs and who have sex with men.
While the number of youth infected with HIV continues to rise, the most alarming issue is the lack of accurate information among young people.

Outreach

Combating Complacency about HIV/AIDS in At-Risk Communities

In 2008, CARES became increasingly concerned about our region’s lack of knowledge surrounding HIV/AIDS. When people are not educated about their elevated risk and how they become infected, this disease spreads without any visible signs. Because of increased HIV/AIDS incidences in four particular demographics, CARES embarked on an aggressive Prevention and Public Awareness campaign targeting African Americans, Latinos, Gay Men and Youth.

Here’s a brief look at what we’re doing to reach at-risk populations:

We plan and participate in events such as Black AIDS Awareness Day, Black Family Week at UC Davis, Sacramento Black Expo and the Oak Park Health Fair, Festival de la Familia, Latino AIDS Awareness Day, Pride Festival and Pride Parade, and a multicultural health fair.

CARES also makes it a priority to have fluent, Spanish speaking staff in every department, from our nurses and doctors to reception services.

CARES staff visits various Women, Infants and Children program offices frequented by Latinas, meeting and informing women about HIV and CARES’ services.
CARES staff provided HIV testing at migrant camps and migrant health fairs.
CARES developed an outreach campaign directed at gay men called Think Twice.
CARES donates condoms, and providse testing and education at a popular club once a month.
We’ve sent speakers to 30 youth organizations to discuss making healthy choices and staying safe. Young people continue to report being “changed for life” by the personal stories related by our speakers.