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Wellness on Wheels Goes Electric in Las Vegas |
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Christopher Mejia (center), Regional Director of AHF’s Public Health Division, and Jose Ramos (back, third from right), AHF National Sales Director, join AHF staff, volunteers and festival attendees to unveil the new mobile health clinic at Pride on Paradise in Las Vegas. |
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AHF debuted the new electric Wellness on Wheels mobile unit in Las Vegas on Oct. 10 at the Pride on Paradise festival, bringing free sexual health services closer to the community through an environmentally friendly, all-in-one mobile clinic. |
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"In Las Vegas, life doesn’t run on a nine-to-five schedule, and healthcare needs don’t either. Wellness on Wheels brings free HIV and STI testing, prevention services, and connections to care directly into our community, including during evening hours when traditional clinics may be closed," said Christopher Mejia, Regional Director of AHF's Public Health Division. "By making these services easier to access, we can reach people who might otherwise delay care, help identify infections earlier and connect more people with treatment and HIV prevention options." |
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A look inside AHF’s new Wellness on Wheels mobile health unit. |
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The mobile unit also provides same-day access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services and connections to specialized HIV care.
Las Vegas is the second location to launch AHF’s Wellness on Wheels electric vehicle initiative in the U.S., following the debut of the first unit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Aug. 28. |
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AHF’s new all-electric Wellness on Wheels mobile health unit in Las Vegas, Nevada. |
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Join AHF and GNP+ for an upcoming webinar on Retention & Viral Suppression |
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AHF and GNP+ are hosting a high-level webinar bringing together global health leaders, policymakers, civil society and communities affected by HIV to examine the state of the global response, elevate community perspectives, and identify practical actions to strengthen political leadership, accountability and sustainable investment toward ending AIDS as a public health threat. |
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Prevention in Their Own Words in Ghana |
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Youth participants work together to develop STI prevention messages designed to resonate with their peers. |
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On September 22, AHF Ghana partnered with the Ghana AIDS Commission to empower young people to take the lead in STI prevention by creating sexual health messages in their own words, for their own communities. |
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The event brought together youth-led organizations and social media influencers to discuss condom use, STI prevention and barriers to accessing services. Participants shared their experiences and developed relatable messages designed to encourage informed, healthy choices. They will share the messages through their social media accounts, extending the conversation to more young people. |
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Participants expand their knowledge of STIs and ask questions in a supportive environment. |
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"Growing up, most of the conversations I heard focused on abstinence, but the reality is that not every young person makes the same choices. Religious institutions can help parents understand that talking about condoms doesn't encourage young people to have sex; it equips them with information that could protect their health and future," said Oduro Nathaniel, an event participant.
AHF Ghana is one of AHF's newest country programs, serving more than 8,000 clients. |
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New Podcast Episode with Blair Underwood: Celebrities and Their Role in Public Health Advocacy |
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Click here to explore the full playlist of episodes on our YouTube channel. |
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In the latest episode of the Global Public Health Revolution podcast, we’re pleased to welcome acclaimed actor, producer and activist Blair Underwood for a conversation about his multifaceted career, philanthropic work and the power of celebrity influence to drive meaningful change, including in public health.
Underwood has been a longtime partner and supporter of AHF, lending his voice to HIV prevention and access to medical care and services in the U.S. and Africa. In 2009, the AHF Blair Underwood Healthcare Center officially opened in Washington, D.C., recognizing his commitment to the HIV/AIDS response. In 2023, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at AHF’s World AIDS Day Concert in Texas.
Watch the full episode now! |
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Shining a Light on Syphilis and Stigma in Ukraine |
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From left: Dr. Angelina Dunaieva, Dermatovenereologist and Candidate of Medical Sciences; Yevhen Skliarenko; Dr. Yaroslava Lopatina; and Tetiana Lebed, Director, All-Ukrainian Association of Women Who Use Drugs (VONA). |
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AHF Ukraine brought together medical experts, civil society representatives and a war veteran for an Oct. 2 press conference addressing the challenges of diagnosing syphilis and the stigma that can prevent people from seeking testing and treatment. The event was part of AHF’s ongoing “Syphilis Is Serious” campaign that addresses the rising number of syphilis cases globally.
“Along with medical assistance, systematic work on stigma is needed: in communities, in families, and among medical professionals,” said Yevhen Skliarenko, a veteran and Head of the Return to a Peaceful Life organization. He said fear of being judged leads some people to delay testing, even though syphilis can remain in the body for years without symptoms and damage internal organs if left untreated.
That silent progression means the infection can often be found by accident. Dr. Angelina Dunaieva, a dermatovenereologist, said syphilis is increasingly discovered during pre-operative examinations, pregnancy screening and visits for unrelated conditions. Those cases underscore the importance of accessible testing and greater public awareness. |
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Dr. Yaroslava Lopatina, AHF Ukraine Country Program Director, speaking at the Syphilis is Serious press conference in Kyiv. |
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Ukraine reported 1,918 syphilis cases in 2025. However, Dr. Yaroslava Lopatina, AHF Ukraine Country Program Director, emphasized that reported cases reflect only people who have been diagnosed, while the true number of infections remains unknown.
To help people access reliable information and care, AHF Ukraine also developed an online resource covering syphilis symptoms, testing and treatment, guidance for people who test positive and locations where testing is available.
AHF Ukraine began operations in 2009 and now serves more than 99,000 clients. |
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Catch up on Season 2: |
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Season 2 Episode 5: Political Will and Public Health
In this episode, we welcome former President Carlos Alvarado of Costa Rica as we spotlight political will as a decisive, often underestimated force in strengthening global public health. President Alvarado shares insights from his leadership during COVID-19 and discusses how he has continued to shape global conversations on public health, climate change, and governance since leaving office. |
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Season 2 Episode 3: Where Faith Meets Public Health
Kemi Gbadamosi sits down with Sister Rania and Sister Roslin—members of the Catholic Order of the Sisters of the Destitute—from Mumbai, India, to explore what it looks like to provide long-term, compassionate care for women living with HIV. |
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