Compassionate and Stigma-Free Support: How Legacy Community Health Supports Those Living with HIV/AIDS

World AIDS/HIV Awareness Month is celebrated every year in December, while World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1. Together, they raise awareness about the ongoing fight against HIV and AIDS, support people living with the virus, and honor those lost to AIDS-related illnesses.

Since its inception in 1988, World AIDS Day has brought together government agencies, private organizations, healthcare institutions, and individuals working to help those in need. Yet although great medical strides have been made since the first cases of AIDS were reported in the United States in 1981, the disease remains a public health challenge.

Legacy Community Health’s history and ongoing commitment to compassionate, inclusive care make us a leader in this fight. For decades we have been at the forefront of HIV/AIDS care.

The Importance of HIV/AIDS Awareness

HIV, which stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, weakens the immune system, making it harder for our bodies to fight infections. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, also known as AIDS, is the final stage of untreated HIV and characterized by a severely damaged immune system.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2022 there were over 31,000 new cases of HIV in the United States and an estimated 1.2 million people living with HIV. Meanwhile, “between 7-10 Texans are diagnosed with HIV every day,” says Dr. Natalie Vanek, Clinic Medical Director of Legacy Montrose. “Currently in the Houston area, there are about 28,000 patients living with HIV.” Of those, Legacy Community Health serves about 7,000, she notes.

A person can’t get AIDS if they aren’t infected with HIV. And thanks to advances in medicine, with timely treatment progression to AIDS is preventable. That’s why raising awareness about HIV and AIDS is so important. It can lead to early diagnosis and thereby improve health outcomes and prevent spread of the virus.

Legacy Community Health offers several different HIV-related services, among them the Rapid Start Program which helps newly diagnosed patients begin treatment immediately, increasing the likelihood of achieving an undetectable viral load. An undetectable viral load means that, through medication, the amount of HIV in someone’s blood has successfully been reduced to a level so low that it’s not detectable by a standard viral load test.

One patient we helped was Carlos Gutierrez, a man in his 50s who came to the Montrose clinic after experiencing unexplained weight loss and a variety of other concerning symptoms. He met with a Legacy Health Prevention Specialist who suggested he take part in the Rapid Start Program. Carlos received specialty medication and other health care services at no cost, and now again has a hopeful outlook on life. You can read about Carlos’ story in Legacy Community Health Annual Report 2022/2023 (p. 11).

People who know about their own HIV status are also better equipped to protect their sexual partners through safer practices. Open communication and regular testing are key to preventing transmission. Dr. Vanek stresses the importance of regular STD testing and ensuring that partners take proactive steps to protect each other. “The two fastest growing populations with HIV are women and young people between the ages of 15-24,” she says. “Women get [HIV] through unprotected sex. They may not know that their partner has it, and so we always want women to not be afraid to ask for STD testing.”
For pregnant women who have HIV, awareness and access to the right medication are critical in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission. The good news is that with proper treatment, the risk of transmitting HIV to their baby drops to less than 1%. Legacy Community Health offers comprehensive prenatal and HIV care, supporting mothers in maintaining their health and delivering healthy babies.

Legacy Community Health’s History of Confidential and Compassionate Care

Legacy Community Health has a long history of providing confidential and compassionate care for those impacted by HIV and AIDS. We pioneered HIV testing and care in Texas in 1982 with the Program for AIDS Counseling & Evaluation (PACE), which offered patients comprehensive health evaluations and referrals for specialized treatment.

Starting out as the Montrose Clinic, we prioritized complete privacy and confidentiality concerning any information shared with our clinic to ensure people seeking help could do so without fear that their status would be shared with their workplace or prospective employers. We even created offsite HIV testing areas for patients who were uncomfortable coming to our office.

Throughout the rest of the 1980s and then the 1990s, Montrose Clinic expanded its services to include the Body Positive Wellness Center, which supports physical wellness through education and personalized fitness programs.

In 2005 the Montrose Clinic merged with The Assistance Fund to form today’s Legacy Community Health, which broadened our ability to serve local community members living with HIV and AIDS. Later in 2012, The Center For AIDS became a part of Legacy.

Then in 2022, we opened the Gulfton Dashwood Infectious Disease in Southwest Houston to offer specialized HIV care. We also offers a concierge-style service called ID Care Now for people living with HIV or other infectious diseases, which connects patients with one of our 18 Infectious Disease clinicians and their care teams.

From our founding in 1978 to today, we’ve upheld our promise that everyone have access to essential healthcare services, regardless of their ability to pay. We are committed to remaining the best one-stop health care system offering comprehensive HIV/AIDS care and other services in the greater Houston area.

Legacy Community Health’s Annual World AIDS Day Event

Legacy Community Health doesn’t only offer healthcare and medical services, we also know how to have fun. Our World AIDS Day event took place on December 1 at South Beach Houston night club and featured a drag show with performers Randy Lopez and Bianca Del Riofree, great music, dancing, and free HIV testing. The 21+ event was held in partnership with Allies in Hope Houston, The Normal Anomaly Inc., and the Houston Health Department, combining outreach with a night of entertainment, education, and community engagement.

This annual event is one of many ways Legacy Community Health continues to recognize the importance of World AIDS Day.

Legacy Community Health Offers Stigma-Free Support and Medical Treatment

Fear of stigma and discrimination are common barriers to improving the quality of life for people living with HIV and AIDS. These fears can keep individuals from seeking early testing, treatment, or support services, which in turn can worsen their health outcomes and increase the risk of passing HIV to others.

By fostering inclusive, nonjudgmental environments, healthcare providers and institutions like Legacy Community Health play an important role in halting discrimination. Public education and conversations about HIV can break down misconceptions and foster deeper understanding for patients living with HIV. When people recognize that HIV is a manageable condition and that individuals living with it can lead healthy, productive lives, stigma diminishes.

Our trained staff provides compassionate, informed care to ensure that people with HIV feel safe and respected when accessing medical services. Health Navigation Director Jill Jahns oversees activities related to HIV testing, prevention, and transitioning to treatment, and manages teams of public health educators and health navigation specialists. Health Navigation Specialists like Yvonne Arizpe lead community engagement programs and provide health services to all patients, offering them compassionate care without judgment.

“People may not know that they know someone with HIV, but most likely, everybody does,” says Dr. Vanek.

When people living with HIV and AIDS are supported and treated with dignity, they are more likely to seek regular care, adhere to treatment, and contribute fully to their communities. Reducing stigma and discrimination is essential to address the HIV epidemic.

World AIDS/HIV Awareness Month is a time for us to come together and eliminate stigma, ensure equitable care, and empower those with HIV to live healthier and longer lives. Make a commitment to prioritize your health–schedule an HIV or STD screening test for yourself or a loved one by calling (832) 548-5000 or visiting us online. We offer free, fast, and confidential testing at convenient locations across Greater Houston. We also have walk-in options.