Category Archives: Public Health

Legacy Celebrates the LGBTQ+ Community May 17

May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. By Barrett White   In 1990, the World Health Organization declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder, a decision that activists called long overdue. In 2004, the anniversary of the decision, May 17, became the international observance day to celebrate and empower the community. The International …

Celebrating Lesbian Visibility Week

By Barrett White Lesbian Visibility Week is observed each year on April 26 – May 2.   Lesbian Visibility Week has been observed every April 26 – May 2 since 2008. Here locally, the lesbian community has a long history of activism, community building, and endless strength in the work for LGBTQ+ equity: one of …

Exciting Progress in the Development of an HIV Vaccine

Evidence suggests an upcoming vaccine trial looks promising. By Barrett White   Preliminary data from a clinical trial by The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California looks promising, and suggests that a new HIV vaccine may be on the horizon. The trial was attached to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI). “These are very …

Legacy Staff Demonstrate the Meaning of Public Health

National Public Health Week is observed April 5–11, 2021. By Barrett White   With the COVID-19 pandemic not yet behind us, we are living through the most challenging public health crisis of our lifetimes. Now more than ever, it is important to celebrate public health – and the public health workers who dedicate their time …

March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV Awareness Day

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) is an annual observance that takes place on March 10. By Barrett White   Did you know that a woman in Texas is diagnosed with HIV every 12 hours? Though the HIV epidemic may not get as many headlines, HIV infections are still on the rise. This …

How FEMA Can Help You Recover After the Texas Freeze

Seventy-seven Texas counties, including all in the Houston-Beaumont region, have been declared eligible for FEMA assistance following the winter storm. By Barrett White   Last week’s winter storm was yet another 100-year event we have collectively experienced in the last few years. As fellow Texans who weathered the storm ourselves, Legacy sympathizes with and supports …

Legacy Honors the 22nd Annual Black HIV Awareness Day

February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Get a free rapid HIV test at Legacy Beaumont this Friday or at Legacy Montrose or Legacy Southwest this Saturday to be entered for a chance to win $100. By Barrett White   February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day to help stop HIV …

Managing Mental Health as We Remain at Home

For nearly a year, we’ve endured social isolation, family stress, and job insecurity. How can we cope? By Barrett White   We have collectively been through a lot since March. For nearly a year now, we’ve been in varying states of lockdown, dealt with social distancing, and have probably had to turn the car around …

Legacy Honors World AIDS Day 2020

Legacy’s annual observance will take place virtually this year. By Barrett White   It’s no secret that Legacy’s roots were planted right at the onset of the AIDS crisis of the 80s and 90s. While HIV is no longer a death sentence when treated appropriately, we all must remain vigilant and fight complacency. According to …

At-Home HIV Testing Available Through Legacy

At-home testing is free, fast, easy, and discreet, and comes with the same patient navigation you get with an in-person visit. By Barrett White   Considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s no wonder that some people would rather stay home than walk into a clinic. COVID-19 isn’t the only virus out there though, and viruses …