AIDS Walk Orange County Supports People Living With HIV/AIDS

AIDS Walk Orange County 2023.

On the morning of Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 8:30 a.m., Fountain Valley’s Mile Square Regional Park will once again host the much-awaited AIDS Walk Orange County 2023. Returning for its 37th year, this annual event is an occasion to show kindness and solidarity with those affected by HIV/AIDS. And with the support of Orange County’s LGBTQ+ community, Radiant Health Centers will raise funds to make lasting improvements in healthcare services in our area.

Take Part in AIDS Walk Orange County 2023

Prepare for a day filled with community spirit, as AIDS Walk Orange County promises a series of exciting activities. Alongside the “fun walk,” participants can look forward to live performances, thrilling games and an extensive vendor fair. Participants can walk solo, team up with friends, or use the opportunity to remember loved ones. And in the spirit of friendship and unity, the community will get together to support those most in need.

Making a Real Difference With Radiant Health Centers

Funds gathered from the AIDS Walk are a lifeline for Radiant Health Centers, allowing us to offer essential services to the LGBTQ+ community and those living with HIV/AIDS. Each step taken and each dollar donated helps with comprehensive healthcare and supportive services, and underscores the importance of each participant’s contribution.

Become a Community Sponsor in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS

Community sponsorship of AIDS Walk Orange County is more than a show of support for the fight against HIV/AIDS. It’s also a powerful statement about your organization’s dedication to social responsibility, and a tangible way to boost workforce engagement.

Encouraging employees to participate improves morale, fosters teamwork – and allows your company to make a profound, lasting impact on those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Reflecting on the Success of AIDS Walk 2022

Last year, AIDS Walk Orange County 2022 raised over $117,000 – a clear demonstration of the generosity and commitment of the Orange County community. With the backing of our friends and donors, we hope to surpass that amount in 2023 to amplify our support for those in need.

Thanks to the generosity of attendees, donors and sponsors, Radiant Health Centers can continue to deliver first-class health and social care services for our LGBTQ+ community. Those affected by HIV/AIDS can receive the treatment, nutrition and guidance needed to live a healthy life – and we can come together to end the HIV epidemic once and for all.

Join Us for AIDS Walk Orange County 2023

Please join us for this year’s AIDS Walk in Orange County, and consider donating to support health and social services for the LGBTQ+ community. When you need help or guidance with HIV and STD testing, counseling and primary care, call (949) 809-5700 or request an appointment today.

Image Credit – Natallia Boroda/Shutterstock.com

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How OC Healthcare Providers Can Improve Cultural Competence

Cultural competence in Orange County healthcare.

In an effort to address the many disparities in healthcare, cultural competence has taken center stage. As Orange County’s largest LGBTQ+ medical clinic, we have always worked to address barriers to quality care. But with healthcare inequalities still persisting for many groups, more must be done to deliver a higher quality of care. Inclusive care is the foundation that ensures access to personalized care and better health outcomes.

What Is Cultural Competence in Healthcare?

Cultural competence in healthcare is the ability to show consideration to people from diverse walks of life. To be culturally competent, medical providers learn how to communicate with and show sensitivity to individuals with different social and cultural backgrounds. The goal of this approach is to ensure that patients receive non-judgmental care that is tailored to their unique requirements.

Why Culturally Competent Healthcare Matters

Fundamentally, cultural competence in healthcare is about ensuring healthcare equality for everyone. However, as each person or group has different needs and health challenges, cultural competence does go beyond providing attentive healthcare. By understanding the LGBTQ+ community and other groups, providers can deliver a higher quality of care without false assumptions, discrimination or bias.

Inclusive care is a pressing need that requires a strategic approach, as many in the community are still struggling to find an LGBTQ-friendly healthcare provider in Orange County. Cultural competency training empowers medical providers with the understanding and skills to deliver stigma-free care that offers solid benefits for patients.

Cultural competence in healthcare aims to reduce health disparities for a cross-section of groups, incorporating race, gender, religion, cultural beliefs and more. For the LGBTQ+ community these challenges make themselves known in many ways, as shown by statistics from The Trevor Project in the list below.

  • 60% of LGBTQ+ youth needing mental health care could not access it.
  • 93% of transgender youth were worried about being denied gender-affirming medical care.
  • 45% of LGBTQ+ youth considered suicide in the past year.

Strategies for Providing LGBTQ+ Cultural Competence in Healthcare

Delivering culturally competent healthcare services requires an adaptive approach allowing response to each patient’s needs. Some common principles of inclusive care are as follows.

  • Acceptance of diversity in beliefs, lifestyle and values.
  • Not asking intrusive questions that are unnecessary for providing care.
  • Educating staff on best practices and non-judgmental communication.
  • Learning common LGBTQ+-specific physical and mental health challenges.
  • Using inclusive and gender-neutral language in communications.
  • Discussing and providing education on preventive care to live a healthy life.
  • An understanding of issues in the LGBTQ+ community (discrimination, harassment, HIV, substance abuse, etc.).
  • Providing access to LGBTQ+ counseling and mental health support.

Contact Us for LGBTQ+ Health and HIV Care

Radiant Health Centers is Orange County’s trusted provider of HIV care, STD testing, hormone replacement therapy and counseling services. For stigma-free healthcare and LGBTQ+ medical treatment, contact us today. Call (949) 809-5700 or request an appointment now.

Image Credit – Prostock-studio/Shutterstock.com

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