Radiant Health Centers Launches Orange County’s First Health Clinic Specializing in the Unique Needs of LGBTQ+ Patients

IRVINE, Calif. (Aug. 28, 2019) — Radiant Health Centers has opened Orange County’s first health clinic specializing in the unique needs of LGBTQ+ patients, as well as qualifying patients of all backgrounds. The clinic is located in Orange County on 2010 E 1st Street, Suite 270, in Santa Ana.

Radiant Health Centers is taking a step to address healthcare inequality that affects marginalized groups of people, especially the LGBTQ+ community, by creating an environment free of stigma that embraces the unique healthcare realities of each patient it serves.

The new clinic will provide sexual health services including PrEP navigation and prescriptions to prevent HIV, access to PEP for people concerned that they’ve been exposed to HIV, and HIV and STI testing and treatment. It also offers family planning counseling including contraceptive care, infertility services and breast and cervical cancer screenings.

The clinic’s services are provided on a sliding scale based on each patient’s income qualifications.

Research shows that sexual health and family planning services are greatly needed within the LGBTQ+ community. According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health, pregnancies are more common among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths than among their heterosexual counterparts.

“Due to discrimination and misunderstanding, members of our LGBTQ+ community often are unable or uncomfortable accessing the healthcare they need,” said Phil Yaeger, CEO and executive director, Radiant Health Centers. “Our clinic is specially designed to make everyone in our community, including individuals who are gay, transgender and gender non-conforming, feel welcome and comfortable through culturally appropriate care that spans from preventative practices to medical treatment.”

The medical clinic is Radiant Health Centers’ first step to opening a universally welcoming health center in Orange County, where all community members are welcome.

“Through our 34 years of service, we have seen firsthand how stigma, poverty, cultural misunderstandings, lack of insurance and other health barriers have led to heightened health risks in Orange County’s vulnerable LGBTQ+ population,” said Yaeger. “We are working to close that gap and expand our reach within our community.”

Hours are Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 1:30 to 7 p.m.  The hours will be expanded based on the community’s needs. Walk-ins are welcome. Priority will be given to those with an appointment. To request an appointment at the clinic or at one of Radiant Health Centers other locations, call 949-809-5700.

About Radiant Health Centers

Radiant Health Centers provides the community with medical services that are compassionate and comprehensive while continuing to serve those living with and affected by HIV. Learn more at www.radianthealthcenters.org.

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Media contact:
Sandra Wellhausen
swellhausen@wrightoncomm.com
C: (619) 245-8866

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Radiant Health Centers Receives $1.97M Grant from Department of Public Health to Provide Innovative HIV Treatment

IRVINE, Calif. (Aug. 26, 2019)— Radiant Health Centers is proud to announce it has been selected to receive a two-year, $1.97 million grant from the California Department of Public Health to provide rapid anti-retroviral treatment (ART) to individuals who test positive for HIV, at no cost to them.

Rapid ART, which provides treatment to HIV positive individuals within three days, prevents HIV transmissions by helping HIV-positive individuals attain an undetectable viral load. A person with an undetectable viral load has effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to other people.

Rapid ART is more impactful than traditional treatment because it reduces the HIV viral load much quicker than a traditional treatment, and as the viral load decreases so does the risk of contracting HIV. Rapid ART also helps patients achieve an undetectable viral load in a much shorter timeframe due to the much quicker treatment window.

“Research shows that approximately six new people test positive for HIV every week in Orange County, and the sooner we get them into treatment the sooner they become undetectable and can no longer transmit HIV to other people,” said Phil Yaeger, CEO & executive director, Radiant Health Centers.  “By removing barriers to care, we will get people into treatment much quicker, which is a key factor to reducing the spread of HIV.”

Through the grant, Radiant Health Centers will develop a complete care navigation plan that will offer clients everything from screening to treatment and medications. Clients will be able to attend appointments in person and via telehealth appointments through any internet-connected computer or smart device. The telehealth appointments will remove barriers to access care, such as transportation and allow patients to contact providers from the convenience of their own homes.

“We have served the community for the past 34 years, and as the AIDS and HIV epidemic has evolved, so have we,” said Yaeger. “We have evolved from an organization that helped people die with dignity to an organization that is bridging the healthcare gaps that result in six new HIV transmissions every week.”

In addition to engaging and providing rapid ART on-site and via telehealth, Radiant Health Centers will conduct a variety of outreach and education activities to increase the community’s knowledge that rapid ART can result in an undetectable HIV viral load, which means that HIV cannot be transmitted.

About Radiant Health Centers

Radiant Health Centers provides the community with medical services that are compassionate and comprehensive while continuing to serve those living with and affected by HIV. Learn more at www.radianthealthcenters.org.

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Media contact:
Sandra Wellhausen
swellhausen@wrightoncomm.com
C: (619) 245-8866

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Radiant Health Centers Awarded $100,000 Grant from UniHealth Foundation to Launch Medically Tailored Meals Project to Individuals Living with HIV and Chronic Illnesses

IRVINE, Calif. (April 18, 2019)— Radiant Health Centers is proud to announce a grant of $100,000, over two years, from UniHealth Foundation that will support Radiant Health Centers’ Medically Tailored Meals Pilot Project. Through a partnership with Project Angel Food, Radiant Health Centers will deliver an additional 3,250 meals each year tailored to support the unique medical needs of clients living with HIV and other chronic illnesses, ensuring they receive safe, easy to prepare and digest, and nutritionally dense foods.

“While our Nutrition Services Program has proven successful in improving client’s health, we recognize the need to expand our program to better serve our most vulnerable clients,” said Phil Yaeger, CEO and executive director, Radiant Health Centers. “We feel Project Angel Food is the perfect partner for this program and we are excited to leverage their experience providing nutritious, ready-made meals.”

Food and nutrition innovation is gaining more and more recognition in the healthcare arena.  A 2018 study conducted at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, revealed that medically tailored meals greatly improved health outcomes and lowered cost of healthcare among nutritionally vulnerable patients.  This new program will allow Radiant Health Centers and Project Angel Food to expand services throughout Orange County.

Radiant Health Centers provides the LGBTQ+ community with medical services that are compassionate and comprehensive while continuing to serve those living with and affected by HIV. Learn more at www.radianthealthcenters.org.

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Media contact:
Sandra Wellhausen
swellhausen@wrightoncomm.com
C: (619) 245-8866

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One of Southern California’s Biggest AIDS Walks Moves to the Boardwalk

Participants can register for the walk at www.radianthealthcenters.org/awoc

IRVINE, Calif. (April 3, 2019) — This summer, Orange County will lace up its collective walking shoes for the 33rdAnnual AIDS Walk OC, hosted by Radiant Health Centers on Saturday, June 1, at the Huntington Beach Boardwalk.

AIDS Walk OC is one of the oldest AIDS walks in the country and makes an immediate impact in the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS. In the last 8 years alone, AIDS Walk OC has raised more than $3 million to provide critically needed care for those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

“When you support AIDS Walk OC you are supporting programs that directly change the lives of people living with HIV and those most vulnerable,” said Phil Yaeger, executive director and CEO, Radiant Health Centers. “We are tremendously grateful for those who walk and donate to this annual event.”

Today, there are nearly 7,000 people living with HIV in Orange County, many of whom are underinsured or without health insurance. Radiant Health Centers provides a safe, stigma-free environment where they can receive medical care and comprehensive social services.

Join us at this year’s Walk in support of our mission and follow us online through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and by using the hashtag #AIDSWalkOC. Register to walk or donate at www.radianthealthcenters.org/awoc.

Event Details

When:

Saturday, June 1, 2019

  • Registration: 8:30 a.m.
  • Opening ceremony: 9 a.m.
  • Walk begins: 9:30 a.m.

Where:

Huntington Beach Boardwalk

Huntington Beach Street and Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, Calif.

What:

  • Family-friendly 5K walk
  • Fun Zone for kids and adults
  • Entertainment by Orange County Gay Men’s Chorus, Men Alive, Huntington Beach School of Rock and Ballet Folklorico Pasión Valparaiso
  • Vendor booths
  • Fun in the sun

About Radiant Health Centers

Radiant Health Centers has provided more than three decades of exceptional care and support to people affected by HIV and their loved ones. It has been instrumental in driving down new HIV transmissions over the past 15 years; however, 300 people are still diagnosed with HIV each year in Orange County.

Radiant Health Centers encompasses traditional HIV testing and prevention outreach as well as long-standing services to Orange County’s HIV-positive community while also creating a safe space to help more members of our LGBT community in need of compassionate care. Learn more at www.radianthealthcenters.org.

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Media contact:
Sandra Wellhausen
swellhausen@wrightoncomm.com
C: (619) 245-8866

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The Fight Magazine – Radiant Health Centers Receives $1.97 Grant from Dept. of Public Health to Provide Innovative HIV Treatment

Radiant Health Centers logo for $1.97 million grant for HIV treatment

Radiant Health Centers is proud to announce it has been selected to receive a two-year, $1.97 million grant from the California Department of Public Health to provide rapid anti-retroviral treatment (ART) to individuals who test positive for HIV, at no cost to them.

Read Full Article

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Radiant Health Centers Receives Grant from Department of Public Health to Provide Innovative HIV Treatment

Radiant Health Centers – Irvine LGBTQ Center Receives Grant

Radiant Health Centers is proud to announce it has been selected to receive a two-year, $1.97 million grant from the California Department of Public Health to provide rapid anti-retroviral treatment (ART) to individuals who test positive for HIV, at no cost to them.

Read Full Article

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