World AIDS Day began in 1988 and is commemorated each year on Dec. 1 in tribute to the millions of lives lost to the AIDS epidemic.

Photos courtesy of Vivent

It is as important as ever to raise awareness of the impact that HIV/AIDS still has on individuals, families and communities.

A positive diagnosis used to be a death sentence. But thanks to advancements in medicine and the development of antiretroviral therapies, people living with HIV can now live long and healthy lives if they get into care. That access to quality care is what we are so passionate about at Vivent Health.

Vivent Health provides compassionate, patient-centered care for people at risk or living with HIV. Our model of care centers around addressing the needs of the “whole person,” an intuitive yet uncommon practice in today’s healthcare industry.

Patients can walk into our clinics and receive medical, dental, behavioral health care, substance use services and treatment and pharmacy services, as well as the wrap around social services needed to address social determinants such as access to healthy food, housing services and legal services — all regardless of their ability to pay.

With locations across the country, including 10 in Wisconsin, Vivent Health relies on philanthropy to support its life-saving programs and services. Many of our patients and clients cannot afford to pay for their care and treatment, and we turn no one away.

In the Fox Valley, the rate of new HIV infections is still unacceptably high. More than 500 people were diagnosed with the virus last year. Vivent Health prioritizes its prevention services as a critical component in reducing the rate of new infections. Staff members provide education and counseling, condom distribution, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) services and clean syringe access for people who inject drugs.

While we are proud of the strides made in the past 40 years confronting the HIV/AIDS epidemic, there is still much work to do. If you would like to get involved or for more information, please click here.

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Vivent Health is supported by grants from several generous donors through their funds at the Community Foundation, including the Capital Credit Union Charitable Giving Fund, the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, and an anonymous fund.