HIV/AIDS Minority in Florida - Research Paper Example

HIV/AIDS Minority in Florida Health Plan for HIV/AIDS Minority in Florida Introduction Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (Syed, Sulaiman, Hassali, & Lee, n.d.). The virus was first identified 30 years ago and since then, an effective cure is elusive. HIV is still a pandemic in the State of Florida that is housed by the developed nation of United States of America. The State ranked as the third in the highest number of AIDS cases in the United States. The Florida Department of Health reported that the modes of HIV infection are blood product receipt (organ transplant, transfusion and coagulation factor), fornication between gays, heterosexual intercourse, mother to child transmission 5 months before birth and 1 month after birth, injection drug use, and sexual intercourse with an individual with a known risk. As of 2011, the highest frequency in mode of HIV infection was that of men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexual intercourse in men and women respectively. The year 2010 marked a 97% decrease in perinatally acquired infections of the virus between 1979 and 2011(Goodin). The minority population reported to be HIV positive in Florida include the Alaskan Native, Pacific Islander and the individuals with diverse races with an even occurrence of newly reported cases amongst adults (ages 19 and older represent adults). The aim of the research paper is to develop a health plan for HIV/AIDS minority in Florida across all age groups. Discussion Availing of counseling sessions at all times as an approach of the health plan A strategic health plan for the population in discussion is core in eliminating inconsistency with the majority ethnic populations in general. A holistic approach in the health of those infected with HIV not only promotes one’s well being and lifelong knowledge on the epidemic but reduces the incidences of HIV infection and re-infection in the minority population at large (Syed, Sulaiman, Hassali, & Lee, n.d.). The well being of an individual encompasses both mental and physical health therefore psychological condition is proportional to physical condition. A health plan that encourages occasional counseling sessions at no cost to those infected with the virus plays an important role in one’s mental well being. Availing the counselors at all times both physically, on a toll free hotline and virtually is effective in aiding the infected and newly diagnosed patients with coping. Depression for that matter is an illness that is slowly eliminated with the help of anti-depressants (Rhodes, Malow, & Jolly, 2012). Counseling allows the retroviral patient to accept their condition and work on moving forward in life. Early death cases based on depression for that matter are eradicated. Access to drugs and treatment with ease as an implementation of the health plan Another approach on the health plan is availing retroviral drugs and treatment to all age groups for free and at subsidized costs respectively (Syed, Sulaiman, Hassali, & Lee, n.d.). The minority ethnic groups in Florida are impoverished because they constitute a majority of the low-income earners in the workforce. Medication for those ailing from the virus is in need throughout their lives. The patients are known to collect the drugs from health institutions monthly. A health plan that distributes the drugs to the HIV/AIDS population at no cost promotes physical health because their immune system improves (Rhodes, Malow, & Jolly, 2012). In conjunction with the rear mentioned, treatment of the population at low costs in comparison with the healthy population is vital in prevention of deaths caused by opportunistic diseases. For the approach to work out, a unit fully dedicated to the HIV/AIDS population is to be established. A mobile workforce under the unit is effective in distribution of drugs and offering treatment where the patient is unable to access the health institution at a given time for whatsoever reason. Physical Exercise and access to supplementary foods as a strategy to promote health In improving the health of the retroviral population, a strategy based on supplementing the mental and physical health is considered to lengthen the life of the HIV individuals. Occasional physical exercise and a nutritional diet supplement the above mentioned approaches on the health plan (Giudici, Duran, & Jaime, 2010). A healthy life style is proving to be costly with the latest technologies in physical exercise and improvement of food. A subscription to a health club so as to access the various physical activities is affordable to the high income earners while a variety of quality health meals are fairly priced to both the high and middle income earners. A strategy that offers subscription to health clubs at low cost to the minority population infected by the virus is effective in promoting physical exercise to the patients. Physical exercise has proven to elongate the life span of both the ailing and HIV free population (Giudici, Duran, & Jaime, 2010). Allocation of nutrition allowances consistently to the victims of the virus by the Department of Health is also effective in promoting their health because it increases their purchasing power on beneficial foods. Forum for HIV/AIDS infected and affected as a platform for lifelong learning An interaction among the infected population and with the affected population encourages togetherness and eradicates stigma. The affected population refers people in close association with the infected individuals such as spouses, children and close relatives or friends. Annually or bi-annually, a day set-aside for individuals with the virus, their close associates and professional health specialist to interact is effective in promoting the growth of the minority group in general. Such an interaction promotes sharing of beneficial ideas and information amongst the infected and with the health specialists, aids the affected in coping with the condition of the infected and acquiring knowledge on the pandemic by the involved population at large (Taking Haart In The Fight Against Hiv/aids). The strategy in the health plan is effective in the prevention of new cases of HIV/AIDS in the future of the minority population (Syed, Sulaiman, Hassali, & Lee, n.d.). Private and public health sectors working in association play important roles in promoting the strategic health plan. Conclusion The HIV virus knows no race. Florida constitutes of White, Black, Hispanic, and other races (Rhodes, Malow, & Jolly, 2012). All the named ethnic groups are at risk of contracting the virus because they interact on a daily basis. An incidence of HIV infection has an impact on the healthy population as well. The healthy population referred to as the affected is in constant interaction with the infected at work, in social places just to name a few. For a territory to grow economically, both skilled and unskilled manpower come into play. The minority population of the State of Florida majorly occupies unskilled personnel in the work places. A discrepancy in the skilled and unskilled labor greatly affects a country socio-economically. In aiding those from the minority population with HIV/AIDS by availing a health plan that promotes their health, a nation bridges a gap in the economy and promotes decrease in infections by the virus in the future (Taking Haart In The Fight Against Hiv/aids). The latter is encouraged with the non-discriminatory interaction among the individuals of the State. From the subject matter, it is evident that in facing a problem, isolation is never a permanent solution but cohesion is key in eradicating and preventing future occurrence of the problem. References Giudici, K., Duran, A., & Jaime, P. (2010). Self-reported Body Changes and Associated Factors in Persons Living with HIV. J Health Popul Nutr, 28(6). doi:10.3329/jhpn.v28i6.6604 Goodin, K. (n.d.). Epidemiology of HIV in Florida. Grand Rounds, 21-21. Retrieved May 18, 2015, from http://www.theaidsinstitute.org/sites/default/files/attachments/Grand Rounds- Epidemiology of HIV in Florida.pdf Rhodes, S., Malow, R., & Jolly, C. (2012). Community-based participatory research (CBPR): A new and not-so-new approach to HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment. National Institute of Health, 11-11. doi:10.1521/aeap.2010.22.3.173 Syed, I., Sulaiman, S., Hassali, M., & Lee, C. (n.d.). HIV/AIDS treatment and health related quality of life: Importance of knowing patients’ perspective. Hiv & Aids Review, 26-27. Taking Haart In The Fight Against Hiv/aids. (n.d.). Nursing Management (Springhouse), 30-31. Read More