In This Issue
The Affordable Care Act prohibits health insurance companies from discriminating against people with serious illnesses, including people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). However this week we run a story about seven insurers who may be offering skimpy drug coverage to discourage PLWHA from signing up for their plans. Our friends at Kaiser Health News report.
New research about the mental health of lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans shows that they have higher rates of mental illness and substance abuse than their heterosexual counterparts, but their straight peers are more likely to receive help.
The WHO reports that the world is lagging behind its goals to reduce TB infections and deaths significantly by 2030. This is significant for PLWHA because any people who die of TB also have HIV.
There's good news as Breast Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close: The CDC reports that breast cancer rates are down among all women—and the gap in death rates between Black and White women is closing as well.
We are nearing the onset of open-enrollment season for the 2017 Health Insurance Marketplace. Our friends at AIDS.gov provide us with 5 tips to help us prepare.
Finally, the Black AIDS Institute has two important events taking place this week—all of which provide an overview for Black communities in the U.S. of key research discussed at the International AIDS Conference held this summer in Durban, South Africa.
- Wednesday, October 26, we invite you to participate in the AIDS 2016 Update Webinar "Criminal Justice and HIV: War on Drugs, Mass Incarceration and HIV Criminalization" from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern time. Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2164701278511977986
- Thursday, October 27, BTAN Jackson will be holding an AIDS 2016 update in Jackson, MS, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central time. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aids-2016-mississippi-tickets-26314990846
We look forward to seeing you there.
Yours in the struggle,
Phill