Good Health Is More Than Health Care
Designed to help people living with HIV to manage social determinants of health, the Good Health is More Than Health Care campaign was implemented by Valek & Co. on behalf of Illinois HIV Care Connect.
The campaign’s effectiveness was largely measured by the number of people living with HIV who took the Good Health is More Than Health Care Quiz, as well as by web page and news release clicks, social media activity, and media stories. The number of individuals taking the quiz was boosted by a promotion that entered respondents into a drawing for $25 Amazon gift cards, which will be given to 20 winners.
Valek & Co. efforts resulted in media stories about the progress made in reducing the incidence of HIV in Illinois. The stories were developed by WAND-TV, WSIU-TV, the State Journal Register, and the Bloomington Pantagraph.
Social determinants of health are the social and economic conditions in which people live, learn and work that have a tremendous impact on personal health. They include things such as a lack of regular housing or enough food, health care costs, language barriers, lack of access to dental and mental health care, child care responsibilities, substance abuse, transportation needs, difficulty paying utility bills, and more.
Illinois HIV Care Connect can help enrollees to overcome social and economic obstacles
People living with HIV who enroll in Illinois HIV Care Connect may qualify for programs that may provide assistance in overcoming some of these social and economic obstacles. Among these programs are Medicaid, Medicare, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, the ADAP Medication Assistance Program (MAP), the CHIC Premium Assistance Program (PAP), Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), and others.
Depending on a person’s needs and income level, benefits available through these programs may include access to medical, dental and mental health care, including child health care and treatment for substance abuse; assistance paying health insurance premiums or purchasing HIV medications; and obtaining necessary food, housing, utilities, and medically related transportation. An Illinois HIV Care Connect case manager helps enrollees to determine which benefits they quality for.
Illinois HIV Care Connect is a statewide network providing medical case management, health care and support services to people living with HIV. About 45,000 Illinois residents are estimated to be living with HIV. Illinois HIV Care Connect lead agency offices located in Rockford, Peoria, Springfield, Belleville, Murphysboro, Champaign and Chicago serve people living with HIV in all of Illinois’ 102 counties. hivcareconnect.com.