HIV Connect

One of the many challenges in the American healthcare system today is the lack of culturally responsive care. This need is heightened when it comes to caring for people living with HIV. In this episode we explore the importance of providing sensitive and inclusive care with nursing educator and practitioner Dr. Sheldon Fields and immigrant HIV advocate Lucciano Roberte. Connect with IAPAC: @IAPAC;...

Most medications and treatments have side effects - antiretroviral therapy is no different. In the early days of the epidemic, HIV medications often caused weight gain in the upper back and lower stomach. Today's medications have lessened some of these effects but often still cause weight gain. Kalvin speaks with advocate Lillabeth Gonzalez and Dr. John Koethe to discuss the effects of weight gain...

Modern medicine is constantly evolving to meet the needs of public health - treatment for HIV is no different. Todays injectables have changed what antiretroviral therapy adherence looks like and it is expected to keep developing rapidly. This episode Kalvin speaks with Dr. Rupa Patel and Moises Augusto Rosario to dive deep into the science and how it changed adherence today. Connect with IAPAC: @...

 In recent years we have seen the need for mental health care grow and increasing awareness of the importance that it plays in our lives. Join host Kalvin Pugh this week as he discusses the nuance of mental health impacts on folks living with HIV with advocate Heather O’Conner and expert Dr. Robert Remien.  Connect with IAPAC: @IAPAC; https://www.iapac.org/ Connect with Kalvin: @kalvin_pugh Connec...

On July 23rd, the WHO fully recognized the science behind U=U (Undetectable = Untransmitable) for the first time. U=U has been around since 2016 and for it to be recognized on a global scale is so important. The message of U=U is that it is not only a win for folks living with HIV but also a win for public health. On this week's episode, Kalvin speaks with U=U expert Bruce Richmond and advocate De...

 On this episode of HIV Connect we dive deep into the conversation around sexual health for people living with HIV, breaking down sexual stigma, and what healthy sex looks like. Marriage and family therapist Damon Jacobs and HIV educator LaDeia Joyce join Kalvin to celebrate pleasure and illuminate the obstacles that people living with HIV face when trying to obtain sexual health care.  See Privac...

On this episode of HIV Connect, Kalvin is joined by Charles Sanchez and Dr. Allison Agwu to talk about how connectivity and mindfulness can contribute to living your best life! Connect with Charles: Instagram and Facebook: @charlessanchez526; Twitter: @fabuloussanchez Connect with IAPAC: @IAPAC; https://www.iapac.org/ Connect with Kalvin: @kalvin_pugh See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privac...

The HIV Connect team is on vacation this week enjoying some summer sunshine and recharging! We hope you've liked the season so far. Help us out this week by sharing your favourite episode with a friend and helping spread the word about the podcast. Kalvin is back next week with a joyful conversation about living your best life with special guests Charles Sanchez and Dr. Allison Agwu.  Connect with...

Finding a good doctor you can trust can be a significant barrier to getting quality care. Both HIV-informed and gender-affirming care provide their own challenges when dealing with ER visits, general doctors appointments, and health insurance. Today Kalvin speaks with Britt Walsh and Tori Cooper to discuss the intersections and challenges of getting quality care, and the positive changes they have...

Aging with HIV is more relevant than ever as over half of all people living with HIV in the US are now over the age of 50. Host Kalvin Pugh is joined by long term survivor Tez Anderson and HIV specialist Dr. Jonathon Applebaum to discuss what long term thriving looks like for those aging with HIV today.  Connect with IAPAC: @IAPAC; https://www.iapac.org/ Connect with Kalvin: @kalvin_pugh;  See Pri...

 On this episode of HIV Connect, host Kalvin Pugh dives into a topic that impacts the health and wellbeing of every person living with HIV: Adherence. Advances in technology and medicine have drastically changed means of adherence over the past several decades, and it remains critical to viral prevention and suppression. Kalvin is joined by wellness influencer Porchia Dees and professor Dr. K Rive...

HIV Connect brings attention to the issues that are important to those living with HIV and what that looks like today. From topics like medication adherence and aging with HIV, to equitable care and sex, we aim to raise awareness and destigmatize what it means to be living with HIV. Our host Kalvin Pugh is joined each week by leading advocates and experts to delve deeper into the topics that matte...