FIGHT Research

09/29/2023

Philadelphia City Council has voted to override Mayor Jim Kenney's veto of a bill that prohibits supervised injection sites from opening in most Philadelphia neighborhoods. Sites would need to pursue a zoning exemption by presenting proposals to neighborhood groups.

"In a letter explaining his veto, Kenney cited research that shows supervised injection sites lead to fewer overdose deaths, ambulance calls for overdose treatment and drug injections in public. Kenney called the bill 'troublingly anti-science and misleading,'"

Check out the full article for more info on the bill, and how safe injection sites are a vital part of .

The law requires overdose prevention facilities to receive a zoning exemption everywhere except portions of West and Southwest Philly

09/25/2023

Get four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests this fall!

Every U.S. household may place an order to receive four free COVID-⁠19 rapid tests delivered directly to the home. Visit covid.gov/tests to order yours now!

Before you throw out "expired" tests, check the FDA's website to see if your COVID-19 tests' expiration dates have been extended!

09/21/2023

AIDS Walk Philly is Sunday, October 15th!

AIDS Walk Philly has been helping the most vulnerable people with HIV with grants for utilities, insurance, housing, and other resources since 1987. Visit aidswalkphilly.org for more information, including how you can register to walk, donate, join a walking team, volunteer, or participate virtually!

09/20/2023

The clinical trial of a vaccine against HIV, funded by the NIH, has begun in the United States and in South Africa. The Phase 1 trial will evaluate the safety and ability for the novel vaccine VIR-1388 to induce an HIV-specific immune response in people.

VIR-1388 uses a cytomegalovirus as its vector, with the weakened version of the virus delivering the vaccination material to the immune system without causing disease in participants.

The study, known as HVTN 142, will enroll 95 HIV-negative participants at six US sites and four South Africa sites.

For more information about the trial, check the NIH.gov website below!

09/15/2023

The NEW BEAT-HIV Delaney Collaboratory website is LIVE! Come check out our collaboratory's fresh new look, and learn about our community engagement, research, publications, how to participate, and more at BEAT-HIV.org! 😎

BEAT-HIV Delaney Collaboratory The Delaney Collaboratory to Cure HIV-1 Infection by Combination Immunotherapy (BEAT-HIV Collaboratory) is a consortium of more than 85 top HIV researchers from leading academic research institutions working with government, nonprofit organizations, and industry partne...

09/12/2023

The FDA has taken action approving and authorizing for emergency use updated COVID-19 vaccines formulated to more closely target currently circulating variants and to provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. The updated mRNA vaccines are each approved for individuals 12 years of age and older and are authorized under emergency use for individuals 6 months through 11 years of age.

Manufacturers have publicly announced that the updated vaccines would be ready this fall, and the FDA anticipates that the updated vaccines will be available in the near future. Check out the full post from fda.gov for more information.

09/08/2023

Men's Wellness Day 2023 is September 30th, and the Pi Mu Mu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi is partnering with Penn Medicine to provide resources and testing!

Stop by the Irvine Auditorium at 3401 Spruce Street from 10:00a - 2:00p on the 30th for free screenings and tests, including rapid HIV testing, cancer screenings, flu shots, vision screenings, educational resources, and more!

09/06/2023

With temperatures climbing, it's important to know how to stay safe in the heat! Visit the Department of Public Health's Extreme Heat Guide for info on who is at risk, how to spot the signs of heat-related illnesses, and resources for utility bill assistance and more!

Heatstroke is the most serious heat-related illness. Heatstroke can cause death or permanent disability without emergency treatment.

Symptoms may include:
- Very high body temperature (above 103°F).
- Red, hot, dry skin (no sweating).
- Confusion.
- Throbbing headache.
- Nausea.
- Unconsciousness.

If you see someone with these symptoms, call 911 immediately. This is a medical emergency.

Information about extreme heat, including who's at risk, how to stay safe, why it's getting hotter, and resources.

09/01/2023

Thanks to a $754,000 grant from the NIH, Sarah Bauerle Bass and her research team of Temple faculty will be developing a web-based app to improve HIV prevention and substance use treatment access among incarcerated women in Philadelphia. PA-LINKS will link women leaving incarceration with community partners like Philadelphia FIGHT for access to methadone, buprenorphine, Vivitrol, and PrEP, along with contact resources and the ability to mutually support one another.

“Other populations tend to get the lion’s share of the funding for HIV prevention. Focusing on these vulnerable women is super important, and we’re glad we have that ability with this grant.”

Check out the full article from Temple Now for more info!

08/30/2023

The Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association, AKA Four A's, just opened their third center in Wasilla, Alaska! The center provides sterile syringes, antibacterial wipes, tourniquets, HIV testing, housing resources, condoms, l**e, and more while reducing the distances that patients have to travel to access these resources. It also shows that harm reduction WORKS!

“'People who access syringe access programs like ours are actually 70% more likely to complete drug treatment if they choose to go,' Lutz told APM. 'And to me, that speaks about stigma and access to information and support. We welcome people with open arms where they’re at.'”

Check out the full article from POZ for more info about Four A's

The Four A’s aims to reduce opioid overdoses, support Alaskans living with HIV, lower hepatitis and HIV transmission and more.

08/22/2023

Tune in on Thursday, 8/24 from 6:00p - 7:30p for N3C's Emerging Issues Virtual Town Hall - PrEP, Doxy PEP and Cisgender Women featuring panelists Connie Celum, MD, MPH; Arianne Morrison, MD; Martha Sichone Cameron, MPH; and Cory Roroya!

Go to bit.ly/n3c0824 or scan the QR code to register!

08/21/2023

Faithful TEACH Online still has slots left! Check out this FREE 7-week course for Faith Leaders! Learn about health & spirituality, and the healing roles that faith communities can play in understanding HIV/AIDS! Stipends and certificates of completion available!

The group meets Wednesdays September 6th through October 18th from 6:00p to 8:30p via Zoom. Contact Calenthia Dowdy at cdowdy@fight.org or 215 525 3055 for more information and applications!