BTAN Richmond: Collaboration Is Key

According to data released by the Virginia Department of Health, Richmond has one of the highest rates of HIV in the country. Approximately 2,300 people in the city are living with the disease, and more than 70 new cases are detected every year. More than 80 percent of Richmond residents with HIV are African American; the fastest-growing population is men who have sex with men.

To combat the epidemic, in early February Black Treatment Advocates Network (BTAN) Richmond Co-Chairs Juan Pierce and Lindsay Bryant convened training for activists and advocates in the Richmond and nearby Petersburg, Va., areas. Danny T.K. Avula, M.D., M.P.H., deputy director of the Richmond City Health District; representatives from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and Planned Parenthood; and Derrick L. Butler, M.D., M.P.H., associate medical director of the To Help Everyone Health and Wellness Centers in Los Angeles, discussed the local HIV landscape and the importance of making HIV testing and HIV care routine and developing strategies for treatment adherence.

We asked attendee Rebekah Israel, training and capacity coordinator with The Black AIDS Institute, about her impressions of the meeting.

What are your thoughts about the BTAN Richmond training?

Many of the participants knew that there was a crisis, but most were surprised to see specific incidence and prevalence rates. It's encouraging to see the BTAN chapter partner with various entities and research institutions, because it gives the network legitimacy and encourages sustainability.

Why is it important that Richmond's HIV workforce develop adherence strategies?

Especially considering the continuum of care, the HIV workforce needs adherence strategies because the in-care retention rate is low. Providers at each step in the continuum—from HIV testers to counselors to pharmacists to physicians—need to be able to talk with their clients about adherence and help remove barriers to adhering to HIV medications.

What were some of the training's outcomes?

I learned a lot about the local epidemic, and it's clear that the area needs a BTAN. More importantly, the training participants understood the need for a BTAN.

Trainees brainstormed three key activities to address Richmond's and Petersburg's treatment and care needs. They developed and presented overarching goals, "SMART" objectives and specific action steps for their initiatives. By the close of the training, participants had four potential projects planned.

I'm really proud of Lindsay and Juan for their hard work! Committed co-chairs and strong partnerships—both of which BTAN Richmond has—are the key to a successful network.

Gerald Garth is a Los Angeles-based writer, actor and accountant who works for The Black AIDS Institute.