Our America: Rising Rate Of HIV In DC...

I know about 5 people with HIV, all gay men in their 20s, all but one thought that they were in a monogamous relationship.

Not only do I think that prison has a lot to do with this, but I also think that the proportion of black men to women is a big problem. There are too few black men to go around, whether yall are casually having sex, dating then broke up, or w.e and because of this, it's so much easier to transmit this virus to a larger amount of women.

It sucks and its scary. I currently live in D.C and am a bit apprehensive about dating black men period because I'm not trying to get caught up. Although it's mostly represented in Ward 8, I doubt that it hasn't seeped into other areas/classes within the black community here. 

I still think that the govt has a hand in the spread, but that's another thread for another day.

I dont work so i dont have health insurance, and i got kicked off my parents after i finished uni, so I just bite the bullet and pay out of pocket. I swear i dont miss my salary as much as i miss health and dental. Public Service Announcement for the Lurking Yardies

I know the cheapest places to get STD testing (Andrews Memorial Hospital, surprisingly as it's a private lab in a private hospital) because i called around (even when i was working). I can joke around with/sweet talk my first gyno into signing up the lab form without me having to pay for a doctor's visit. I know the Jamaica Aids Support has free rapid testing and if you ask nicely they'll draw the blood and do the syphillis one too (but that's more expensive for them and they only do it for every 20 or 50 or so persons, again I sweet talk them, they've prob upgraded to rapid but idk). I know a Pap Smear is cheapest at a regular doctor OR i can visit the Jamaica Cancer Society (never used) for PAP and Mammogram greatly subsidised. I know the Ministry of Health's National STI Prevention Program has a Mobile bus(es) (I've only used it on World AIDS Day) that does HIV/Syphilis rapid testing AND they post a monthly schedule of where they'll be on the website.

 I've given up labs and the loooooooong waiting for results to be returned and all that for my other gyno Dr. Lennox Jacobs at Medical Associates Hospital he does in-house testing for everything right there again pricey nuh raas but the convenience. I love him!!!!! Best gyno in Jamaica.

I have an acquaintance that works at the  Blood Bank (which is attached to Comprehensive Clinic on Slipe Road- does free i believe STI testing- i've never used them) who said he'll give me the hook up (how did i forget?)
 

True Story (ive mentioned on here before): Jason, young man living with HIV, who works with the national sti prevention program and is appears in the tele ads on the back of the mobile buses (i was just chatting with him and never knew who he was till he pointed to the bus, cue my coworkers teasing me) etc told me that he gets a ton of women throwing themselves at him (fully aware of his status) AND here's the kicker: some ask not to use condoms. I've even told men i have it and still they want to hit and hit raw, the phuckery i hear in response

lol at how y'all started talking about free clinics etc 

Ohh we have community health workers more grassrootsy (yes i made it up)/relatable than mr and ms fancy doctor, who do a fine frakken job (esp with new mommies) and they try to set up health and wellness demos in the poorer urban and in rural communities. But as with everything resources are limited. Y'all dont even know how fortunate you are to have the services (both the brick and mortar places and the online info they give out). Medicaid will (may) come and pick you up? my grandpa 85+ (in England) wanted to move back to Jamaica till he reminded his many meds will not be dropped off at his house.