The
mission of Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (APAIT) is to
positively affect the quality of life for Asian and Pacific Islanders
living with or at-risk for HIV/AIDS by providing a continuum of
prevention, health and social services, community leadership and
advocacy to the Southern California region.
Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (APAIT)
is one of the nation's largest providers of HIV/AIDS prevention and
care services for the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities.
Based
in Southern California, APAIT has been providing culturally and
linguistically appropriate services to API's since 1987. APAIT delivers
these services through a very dedicated, compassionate and talented
group of individuals.
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SAVE THE DATE: March 12
Assemblymember
Mike Eng Joins Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team in Commemorating
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
The Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (APAIT) commemorates National Women and Girls AIDS Awareness Day
with a press conference on Friday, March 12, 2010. The event will begin
at 11:00am at the Asian Youth Center (AYC), 100 West Clary Ave, San
Gabriel, CA 91776.
The proportion of women impacted by the
HIV/AIDS epidemic is growing rapidly. In San Gabriel Valley, women
account for 16% of AIDS cases, compared to 10.9% in LA County. San
Gabriel Valley testers also reported the second highest meth use
(21.2%) among all the Service Planning Areas in Los Angeles County.
According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a growing body of
research supports the association between methamphetamine use and an
increase in behaviors that can put the user at-risk for HIV infection.
APAIT
seeks to highlight the impact of HIV/AIDS on women of color in the San
Gabriel Valley. The goals of this event are to: 1.) Increase HIV/AIDS
awareness among women in San Gabriel Valley, 2.) Highlight the
correlation between substance use and HIV/AIDS, 3.) Increase HIV
testing in San Gabriel Valley and 4.) Reduce the stigma of HIV in the
community.
Speakers include California Assemblymember
Mike Eng, 49th Assembly District; Nancy Sekizawa, Certified Addiction
Specialist, APAIT; and Karla Ferreira, APAIT's Miss Quest 2009. Other
speakers will include women of color infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
For more information, contact Fiona Ao at (213) 553-1849, fionaa@apaitonline.org or visit http://www.apaitonline.org.
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(l-r: Cat, Tara, Ryyn, and Jason enjoy Chinatown)
APAIT
celebrated the beginning of the Year of the Tiger as we joined our
community partner API-Equality LA in marching at the Chinatown Lunar
New Year Parade on Saturday, February 20th. APAIT has marched in this
parade for several years in order to increase agency visibility among
the Chinese community as well as to show support for API-Equality LA
and its mission of achieving marriage equality for the LGBT community.
(Alex and Nick show their support)
Some
of our staff was also a part of history, as they joined the first ever
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender contingent at the Orange County Tet
Festival Parade in Westminster, CA on Saturday, February 13th.
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APAIT's
"Los Angeles Asian HIV-Hepatitis Co-infection Study" recently concluded
after a two-year partnership with UCLA. The research team was led
by Principal Investigator Jury Candelario (Division Director of APAIT),
co-Principal Investigator Lois M. Takahashi (Professor in Urban
Planning at UCLA), and co-medical investigator Ana-Claire Meyer, MD
(Robert Wood Johnson/Veteran's Affairs Clinical Scholar at UCLA).
The
study focused on exploring the barriers particular to Asians with
HIV/AIDS (and hepatitis B/C). During the two-year research study,
staff conducted in-depth interviews and surveys with Asians living with
HIV (and viral hepatitis). This study also included interviews
and surveys with HIV and hepatitis-related medical/social service
providers in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Some of the major
research findings about HIV and hepatitis included: issues of stigma,
lack of knowledge, fear of privacy/disclosure in accessing care, and
the need for culturally and linguistically appropriate services. There
were troubling misconceptions about transmission: a large proportion
said that these diseases could be transmitted through mosquitoes or
through kissing of HIV+ Asian participants. These participants
cited limited access to culturally appropriate services as their
biggest challenge in accessing care.
In addition, providers
indicated limited knowledge from the API community, their own staff and
other providers regarding HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis
co-infection. When it came to barriers to care, most providers
indicated high levels of stigma on the part of both clients and
providers; the limited availability of interpreters; and clients'
concerns about privacy and disclosure when accessing services. A
growing concern about the fear of visibility and disclosure with other
Asian providers and clients emerged as a perceived barrier to care.
Research
findings were presented at statewide and national conferences,
including at the annual meeting of the American Public Health
Association and REACH-CA. Two research articles are in progress to be
submitted to peer-reviewed academic journals.
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(l-r: Actress Tamlyn Tomita with Cat at the Banyan Tree Project last year)
Congratulations
to Catherine Lamorena, APAIT's 2009 Team Player of Year.
Catherine, affectionately known as "Cat," joined APAIT in January 2009
as the Programs Assistant. She shows a genuine desire to help,
which embodies the true essence of the agency's overall mission: to
positively affect the quality of life for Asian Pacific Islanders
living with or at-risk for HIV/AIDS. Cat is both an exceptional
employee and person. APAIT is very fortunate to have her as part of the
team!
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Website:
http://www.apaitonline.org
Main Email:
apait@apaitonline.org
Newsletter Email:
newsletter@apaitonline.org
Business Hours:
M-F 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
L.A. County Office
605 W. Olympic Blvd.
Suite 610
Los Angeles, CA 90015
tel: (213) 553-1830
fax: (213) 553-1833
Orange County Office
12900 Garden Grove Blvd.
Suite 214A
Garden Grove, CA 92843
tel: (714) 636-1349
fax: (714) 636-8828
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