Senator Bob Casey recently announced $400,000 in federal funding for Philadelphia’s Mazzoni Center, the city’s largest LGBTQ+ wellness and medical provider according to NBC Philadelphia. The funding comes at a critical time as the Mazzoni Center continues providing healthcare and wellness services to Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ community. In this article we talk about Senator Casey Secures $400,000 for Philadelphia LGBTQ+ Health Center.
Importance of the Funding
“I’m grateful to be here during Pride Month to announce good news from Washington which doesn’t happen every week,” Senator Casey said while joining the Mazzoni Center to share news of the funding allocation. As the nation’s first health center dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community, the Mazzoni Center offers comprehensive medical, behavioral health, and wellness services.
Utilization of Funds
The $400,000 in federal funding will empower the Mazzoni Center to invest in improved security systems, updated technology infrastructure, and a new generator to ensure consistent power, even during outages. These facility improvements will enable the Mazzoni Center providers to focus on delivering compassionate, judgment-free care to more patients.
Focus on HIV Services
“We have given over 5,500 vaccines over the last year, we’ve drawn 7,200 sets of labs over the last year, and we also keep onsite expensive, long acting and life-saving HIV medication,” explained Dr. Stacey Trooskin, Director of Research at the Mazzoni Center. As the city’s go-to center for HIV testing, prevention, treatment, and counseling, federal funds will assist staff in providing these critical services to vulnerable populations.
Combating Stigma and Promoting Education
The Mazzoni Center’s president, Sultan Shakir, also discussed the organization’s commitment to reducing stigma around testing and living with HIV. “Our take is knowing your status is really the first step and then the great thing about it is that you can live a full healthy life with HIV so we’re really ensuring the people know that,” Shakir explained. By delivering education alongside clinical services, the Mazzoni Center empowers patients to take charge of their health.
Impact on Marginalized Groups
Local health data reveals the disproportionate impact of HIV on marginalized groups. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health reports over 18,658 people currently living with HIV in Philadelphia. A majority of these patients are Black and Latino men who have sex with men. This federal funding will enable the Mazzoni Center to continue serving these high-risk populations with lifesaving treatment and prevention.
Expansion of Testing Capacities
In addition to facility upgrades, the funding will help expand the Mazzoni Center’s testing capacities. “To exist feels so important,” said Sam Wilburn, a Mazzoni Center medical provider. “To just show people like of course you can come here, of course we will do everything we can to protect you, of course we will do everything we can to take care of you and I don’t think that’s necessarily present in other places.” More testing enables earlier diagnosis and treatment, which saves lives.
Commitment to LGBTQ+ Healthcare
Skylar Lacey, a Travel and Tourism Management graduate from Temple University, offers 5 years of experience in travel writing and airport logistics at PhiladelphiaAirport.net. Her expertise helps travelers make the most of their journeys through Philadelphia International Airport. Connect with her on Instagram for more travel tips and insights.
