FIGHT Research

Philadelphia City Council has voted to override Mayor Jim Kenney's veto of a bill that prohibits supervised injection sites from opening in most Philadelphia neighborhoods. Sites would need to pursue a zoning exemption by presenting proposals to neighborhood groups.

"In a letter explaining his veto, Kenney cited research that shows supervised injection sites lead to fewer overdose deaths, ambulance calls for overdose treatment and drug injections in public. Kenney called the bill 'troublingly anti-science and misleading,'"

Check out the full article for more info on the bill, and how safe injection sites are a vital part of .

Supervised injection sites barred in most Philly neighborhoods after City Council overrides Jim Kenney's veto The law requires overdose prevention facilities to receive a zoning exemption everywhere except portions of West and Southwest Philly

Get four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests this fall!

Every U.S. household may place an order to receive four free COVID-⁠19 rapid tests delivered directly to the home. Visit covid.gov/tests to order yours now!

Before you throw out "expired" tests, check the FDA's website to see if your COVID-19 tests' expiration dates have been extended!

AIDS Walk Philly is Sunday, October 15th!

AIDS Walk Philly has been helping the most vulnerable people with HIV with grants for utilities, insurance, housing, and other resources since 1987. Visit aidswalkphilly.org for more information, including how you can register to walk, donate, join a walking team, volunteer, or participate virtually!

The clinical trial of a vaccine against HIV, funded by the NIH, has begun in the United States and in South Africa. The Phase 1 trial will evaluate the safety and ability for the novel vaccine VIR-1388 to induce an HIV-specific immune response in people.

VIR-1388 uses a cytomegalovirus as its vector, with the weakened version of the virus delivering the vaccination material to the immune system without causing disease in participants.

The study, known as HVTN 142, will enroll 95 HIV-negative participants at six US sites and four South Africa sites.

For more information about the trial, check the NIH.gov website below!

The NEW BEAT-HIV Delaney Collaboratory website is LIVE! Come check out our collaboratory's fresh new look, and learn about our community engagement, research, publications, how to participate, and more at BEAT-HIV.org! 😎

Home - BEAT-HIV BEAT-HIV Delaney Collaboratory The Delaney Collaboratory to Cure HIV-1 Infection by Combination Immunotherapy (BEAT-HIV Collaboratory) is a consortium of more than 85 top HIV researchers from leading academic research institutions working with government, nonprofit organizations, and industry partne...

The FDA has taken action approving and authorizing for emergency use updated COVID-19 vaccines formulated to more closely target currently circulating variants and to provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. The updated mRNA vaccines are each approved for individuals 12 years of age and older and are authorized under emergency use for individuals 6 months through 11 years of age.

Manufacturers have publicly announced that the updated vaccines would be ready this fall, and the FDA anticipates that the updated vaccines will be available in the near future. Check out the full post from fda.gov for more information.

Men's Wellness Day 2023 is September 30th, and the Pi Mu Mu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi is partnering with Penn Medicine to provide resources and testing!

Stop by the Irvine Auditorium at 3401 Spruce Street from 10:00a - 2:00p on the 30th for free screenings and tests, including rapid HIV testing, cancer screenings, flu shots, vision screenings, educational resources, and more!

With temperatures climbing, it's important to know how to stay safe in the heat! Visit the Department of Public Health's Extreme Heat Guide for info on who is at risk, how to spot the signs of heat-related illnesses, and resources for utility bill assistance and more!

Heatstroke is the most serious heat-related illness. Heatstroke can cause death or permanent disability without emergency treatment.

Symptoms may include:
- Very high body temperature (above 103°F).
- Red, hot, dry skin (no sweating).
- Confusion.
- Throbbing headache.
- Nausea.
- Unconsciousness.

If you see someone with these symptoms, call 911 immediately. This is a medical emergency.

Extreme heat guide | Department of Public Health Information about extreme heat, including who's at risk, how to stay safe, why it's getting hotter, and resources.

Thanks to a $754,000 grant from the NIH, Sarah Bauerle Bass and her research team of Temple faculty will be developing a web-based app to improve HIV prevention and substance use treatment access among incarcerated women in Philadelphia. PA-LINKS will link women leaving incarceration with community partners like Philadelphia FIGHT for access to methadone, buprenorphine, Vivitrol, and PrEP, along with contact resources and the ability to mutually support one another.

“Other populations tend to get the lion’s share of the funding for HIV prevention. Focusing on these vulnerable women is super important, and we’re glad we have that ability with this grant.”

Check out the full article from Temple Now for more info!

The Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association, AKA Four A's, just opened their third center in Wasilla, Alaska! The center provides sterile syringes, antibacterial wipes, tourniquets, HIV testing, housing resources, condoms, l**e, and more while reducing the distances that patients have to travel to access these resources. It also shows that harm reduction WORKS!

“'People who access syringe access programs like ours are actually 70% more likely to complete drug treatment if they choose to go,' Lutz told APM. 'And to me, that speaks about stigma and access to information and support. We welcome people with open arms where they’re at.'”

Check out the full article from POZ for more info about Four A's

Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association Opens Third Harm Reduction Center The Four A’s aims to reduce opioid overdoses, support Alaskans living with HIV, lower hepatitis and HIV transmission and more.

Tune in on Thursday, 8/24 from 6:00p - 7:30p for N3C's Emerging Issues Virtual Town Hall - PrEP, Doxy PEP and Cisgender Women featuring panelists Connie Celum, MD, MPH; Arianne Morrison, MD; Martha Sichone Cameron, MPH; and Cory Roroya!

Go to bit.ly/n3c0824 or scan the QR code to register!

Faithful TEACH Online still has slots left! Check out this FREE 7-week course for Faith Leaders! Learn about health & spirituality, and the healing roles that faith communities can play in understanding HIV/AIDS! Stipends and certificates of completion available!

The group meets Wednesdays September 6th through October 18th from 6:00p to 8:30p via Zoom. Contact Calenthia Dowdy at [email protected] or 215 525 3055 for more information and applications!

The Institute for Community Justice is excited to renew the Financial Literacy Basics Program with the help of Let's See If We Can Help, LLC. The program starts August 22nd, 2023 for 10 weeks from 1:00p - 2:00p at ICJ!

This program features a series of topics that will explore how to be successful financially. With in-depth instruction, you will learn about banking, credit, influences to financial decisions, taxes, estate planning, investing in stocks/bonds, etc. Financial Literacy Basics will support you now and in your future.

Contact Donna Brown-Cade at 215-525-0460 x407 or [email protected] to register!

The Long-Term Survivors & Cure Research webinars continue! Tune in on Tuesday, 8/15 for Research with Women 50+ Living with HIV featuring Eileen Scully, Waheeda Shabazz-El, Dawn Averitt, and Bridgett Picou!

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/y7vactu7

And get more info on the full HIV Cure research webinar series here: https://tinyurl.com/mu63z5ue

Prevention Point's new Love Lot is a place where people can experience compassion, acceptance, comfort, and colorful beauty. The outdoor space located in the lot behind Prevention Point's main building has a solar-powered food station, a PA and music system, and even a memorial tile wall where visitors can leave messages of hope and remembrance.

“'We are sometimes serving people that are so traumatized by experiences they’ve had in other agencies that they don’t even want to come inside,' she said. 'This gives the opportunity to access warmth and empathy and care and art and food and other things, outside.'”

Whole lot of love in Prevention Point’s new Love Lot in Kensington A vacant lot in Kensington has been transformed into an art environment to assist Prevention Point’s harm reduction programs.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene debuted NYC's first public health vending machine this June! This vending machine-style dispenser of life-saving , testing strips, safe s*x resources, and more will serve the Bed-Stuy community at no cost. Future plans include three additional machines throughout the city, and more beyond if these first four machines are successful.

Philadelphia debuted a similar machine for dispensing naloxone at the Lucien Blackwell Library on 52nd Street in 2022!

New York City’s Newest Vending Machine Could Help Prevent Overdoses New York City’s first public health vending machine is stocked with supplies to help prevent overdoses.

Women's TEACH classes begin August 23rd! Graduates of this 6-week in-person course receive a certificate and stipend! If you identify as a woman and are living with HIV, scan the QR code to apply, or call Teresa Sullivan at 215-525-0460 ext. 405!

Join a study on community participation!

CONNECTIONSRX is an intervention designed to increase adult participation in the community. If you are:

- Between the ages of 18 and 30
- Living with a bipolar, major depressive, or schizophrenia disorder
- Interested in engaging in the community

Text 267 225 0218 or email [email protected]

Nominate your Red Ribbon Hero!

The Penn CFAR CAB Red Ribbon Awards Ceremony is held each year in commemoration of World AIDS Day, and recognizes the efforts of local heroes in policy, research, community, faith, youth leadership, and more! Scan the QR code or visit www.med.upenn.edu/penncfarcab to submit your nominations!

Join Liliana Talero, Teresa Sullivan, Ashley Cobb, and Lauren Miller on Wednesday, 6/28 at 3:00p ET for Women Accessing ARV Treatment and PrEP: Diverse Perspectives! This panel will feature the experiences of several women accessing and taking HIV treatment and prevention drugs, including taking them for many years and discussing them with family, friends, and partners. RSVP at https://bit.ly/3X4gEk5

It is Juneteenth 2023! - So check out this article from CNN promoting Black health, wealth, and joy - including links to resources like the Black AIDS Institute and the Black Mental Health Alliance, who are working to address inequalities faced by Black populations even today.

Celebrate Juneteenth by promoting Black health, wealth and joy | CNN Impact Your World has gathered ways you can help reject the pathology of racism and celebrate Juneteenth more thoughtfully through nonprofits that support Black health and wealth, joy, and overall empowerment.

The OHART Study is a research study being conducted to evaluate the association between oral and systemic health conditions in patients living with HIV who have been on antiretroviral therapy for at least one year. Eligible participants will be asked to attend study visits every six months for 2.5 years (6 visits total). Compensation will be provided to those who qualify.

For more information, and to see if you may be eligible, please contact the study team at 215 908 5667 or [email protected]

The Philadelphia Water Department is issuing a boil water advisory for parts of upper West Philadelphia under ZIP code 19151 + parts of 19131 and 19139 (Wynnefield Heights, Wynnefield, Overbrook Farms, Green Hill Farms, Overbrook, Overbrook Park, Morris Park, Parts of Carrol Park, Haddington, West Parkside, and West Fairmount Park)

If you are in an area notified that there is a boil water advisory, DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. These instructions are for water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and preparing formula.

1. Bring water to a rolling boil.
2. Let it boil for one minute.
3. Let the water cool before using

Between approximately 3:45 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. on June 11, 2023, a pumping station serving a section of upper West Philadelphia failed. This caused a loss of pressure in the system and left some customers without water. Water pressure has been restored, but customers should not use the water without boiling.

Customers with questions can go to water.phila.gov or call (215) 685-6300

West Philadelphia Boil Water Advisory – Philadelphia Water Department The Philadelphia Water Department is issuing a boil water advisory for parts of upper West Philadelphia. Who is impacted? About 18,0000 customer accounts are in the impacted area. This includes customers who lost water or had low pressure in: What should customers do? If you are in an area notified....

Due to a unique weather pattern, Philadelphia continues to be affected by smoke from the wildfires in Canada. The smoke grew worse in the Philadelphia region on Tuesday evening. Residents in the area should take precautions to avoid unnecessary exposure to smoke and avoid activities that may increase the amount of particulate matter in the air.

- Avoid going outdoors as much as possible.
- If you must go outside, avoid excessive activity, such as jogging or running, and wear a mask, if available.
- Close all windows and doors to minimize air pollution in your home.
- Recirculate air with fans to avoid bringing more air pollution into your home.
- Avoid areas of high congestion and where air pollution may be high (e.g., main streets or highways, areas with low circulation).
- People with underlying illnesses should monitor for symptoms, including trouble breathing, nausea, and dizziness. If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- Avoid unnecessary trips in their cars,
- Avoid idling,
- Carpool when possible, and
- Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment

The Health Department and the Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor the air quality and provide updates as they become available. For more information, please visit the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management Twitter account, the Health Department’s Twitter account, and register to receive emergency alerts from via ReadyPhiladelphia by texting READYPHILA to 888-777 or visiting https://www.phila.gov/ready.

Health Department Recommends Residents Take Precautions Due to Wildfire Smoke | Department of Public Health Health Department Recommends Residents Take Precautions Due to Wildfire Smoke

Philadelphia FIGHT Research is hiring! Check fight.org/about/careers for more info about our open Clinical Research Coordinator position and to submit your application!

The first Long-Term Survivors & HIV Cure Research webinar is today at 1:00p ET! Join Jules Levin, Serena Spudich, Kristine Erlandson, and Alan Landay for an Introduction to Aging Research! Register at bit.ly/3ZCA4fC

Join the UPenn CTU CAB in recognizing on Saturday, May 13th at LOVE Park from 1:00pm – 4:00pm!

Take a picture! Make a statement! Join the fun!

A panel of FDA advisors has voted unanimously in favor of a request to sell a once-per-day birth control medication without the need for a prescription. A final FDA decision is expected this summer, with sales possibly to begin late this year if the panel's recommendation is followed.

“'In the balance between benefit and risk, we’d have a hard time justifying not taking this action,' said Maria Coyle, an Ohio State University pharmacist, who chaired the panel. 'The drug is incredibly effective, and I think it will be effective in the over-the-counter realm just as it is in the prescription realm.'”

Learn more from AP News below!

FDA panel backs over-the-counter sales of birth control pill Federal health advisers are recommending that a decades-old birth control pill be sold without a prescription. The unanimous vote on Wednesday by a Food and Drug Administration panel paves the way for what could be the 1st birth control pill available over the counter. The recommendation is not bind...

The next Youth TEACH Retreat has been rescheduled to September 22nd - 24th! This three-day retreat is for anyone 18 - 30 living with HIV and will be held at the Community of St. John Baptist Convent in Mendham Township, New Jersey. All transportation, meals, and lodging will be provided for students! Students who complete the retreat receive a certificate, $100 stipend, and graduation ceremony! Scan the QR code for the application, and contact Evan Meduna at [email protected] for more info!

Interested in injectable PrEP? Join our research study! If you:

- Are at least 18
- Have not been tested for HIV in the past 3 months
- Have not had any oral PrEP in the past 12 weeks or any prior use of long-acting systemic PrEP
- Are a cisgender man, transgender or gender nonbinary individual who has receptive a**l s*x

Then contact Jerry V, at 215 344 1643! Additional eligibility criteria will apply during screening.