Illinois HIV Care Connect announces the release of educational campaign on Rapid Start Antiretroviral Therapy for people newly diagnosed with HIV

Illinois HIV Care Connect, a project of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA), announces the launch of the stART Strong: Rapid Start ART educational campaign today. The campaign provides information on rapid start antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people newly diagnosed with HIV. 

“Rapid Start ART promotes beginning treatment as soon as possible to not only improve individual health outcomes but also help reduce HIV transmission in our communities,” says Melissa Graven, RN, BSN, associate executive director of HIV/STI Prevention, at IPHA. “It’s a critical step toward ending the HIV epidemic, especially here at home in Illinois”.

HIV Care Connect’s stART Strong: Rapid Start ART campaign is designed to help people living with HIV know more about their treatment options, including who may be eligible, how fast is “rapid”, and what happens after starting rapid ART.

The stART Strong: Rapid Start ART campaign is accessible at hiv.careconnect.com and featured on Illinois HIV Care Connect’s Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn social media platforms. A rapid start ART quiz is available on those platforms to give readers the opportunity to check their knowledge on the topic. The campaign and quiz are both available in English and in Spanish. This campaign is the 12th annual quality improvement initiative, following campaigns on topics such as Viral Suppression, HIV and Aging and Speaking Up About HIV Stigma.

About Illinois HIV Care Connect

Illinois HIV Care Connect is a statewide network providing medical case management, health care, and support services to persons living with HIV. Illinois HIV Care Connect’s eight lead agency offices serve persons living with HIV in all of Illinois’ 102 counties. https://hivcareconnect.com