Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 marks the 28th anniversary of World AIDS Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and mourning those who have died of the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV. And while the annual number of HIV diagnoses has declined 19 percent over the last decade – representative of a true decline in new infections – one in eight Americans don't know they have the disease. That's why the CDC encourages you to ask your healthcare provider for an HIV test. No one is immune to HIV, and everyone should get tested.
The RefillWise team recognizes the seriousness of this pandemic, which is why we are proud to partner with The Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse, which offers testing, prevention, case management, and support services to the public. For more than seven decades, the Council has been improving the health, safety, and productivity of communities by preventing problems with drug and alcohol abuse before they begin, intervening when they do, and promoting recovery for those already affected. The Council also focuses attention on HIV & AIDS. Among its services and resources, The Council offers:
Early Intervention program — provides services to people facing the unique set of challenges of living with chemical dependency and HIV.
HIV Outreach and Prevention program — locates and supports people affected by substance abuse and who are already HIV positive and don’t know it, and those who are at risk for contracting or spreading HIV infection.
HIV Resource Guide that publishes services and resources about HIV / AIDS available in North Texas.
Information Helpline — provides telephone assistance to North Texas callers matching their unique needs with local community alcohol and other drug prevention, intervention and recovery resources 214.522.8600 or Toll Free at (800) 246-HOPE (4673).
If you have contracted HIV or know someone who has, you can use your free RefillWise prescription discount card to save money and earn cash back on medicines needed to manage HIV, including PrEP. Prescription PrEP medicine like Truvada is used with other medicines to treat HIV and, with safe sex practices, prevent HIV transmission in high risk persons. PrEP medicine is not a cure for HIV. You can use our Find Your Drug page to see if RefillWise provides discounts and savings on any prescriptions you may need to manage chronic illnesses like HIV. But before considering purchasing any PrEP medications, including Truvada, consult with your healthcare provider about what medicines and preventative measures work best for you.
To learn about more ways to get involved with The Council, click on this link for more information. You can also like The Council on Facebook and LinkedIn, follow them on Twitter, and donate online.
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