Its Community Education Group (CEG) received a grant of $50,000 from Gilead Sciences and a $50,000 grant from ViiV Healthcare to meet the Monkeypox health needs of bisexual, gay transgender, transgender and non-binary individuals from 13 states in rural Appalachia.

The grant will enable CEG to expand the capacity for rural Appalachian community-based groups to deal with this health emergency. CEG will develop and disseminate educational materials, provide several grants from its Appalachian Partnership Fund, and hold stakeholder meetings to decrease stereotypes, cultural prejudices, and barriers to healthcare influenced by heteronormative worldviews.

CEG plans to offer healthcare services in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia along with West Virginia.

Norwalk home with amenities and extras priced at just $1.6 million

“The quick-paced philanthropic funding by Gilead and ViiV permits CEG to reach out immediately to those who are most vulnerable in Appalachia’s rural areas by partnering with rural-focused community-based organizations,” said CEG Executive Director A. Toni Young. “With COVID, HIV, Hep-C, and, more recently, Monkeypox Our LBTBQIA and communities as well as their health professionals in Appalachia require our help now more than ever before.”

Gilead Science and ViiV funding to CEG will be used to improve access to healthcare for LGBTQIAas well as people living in rural communities, which includes creating and disseminating educational materials and grants to rural health and community groups, and holding regular virtual meetings and other events.

Additionally, CEG will develop and offer culturally sensitive, inclusive and contextualized resources regarding the sexuality and gender the identities of bisexual, gay and nonbinary patients seeking treatment from rural healthcare professionals.

As part of the initiative, CEG will create and distribute thousands of “Monkeypox digital resources” in over 300 Appalachian health departments, in addition to rural health associations and LGTBQIAand other organizations in thirteen states. The aim is to advocate the most effective methods to provide an inclusive and inclusive health care experience to LGBT, bisexual, transgender and nonbinary patients looking for advice and assistance regarding this Monkeypox virus.

Young said, “Local healthcare providers want to connect with members of the LGBTQIA+ community but need some assistance. A lot of rural healthcare providers haven’t been very active in this group, and they need assistance, tools, and resources that make patients feel secure and have access to healthcare.

Therefore, CEG will offer town halls as well as tool kits, online training and funds that can be used to fund education or even vouchers for vaccinations.” CEG’s website tools and resources will be made available to any healthcare professional who works in partnership with members of the LGBTQIA+ community nationwide.

The announcement was made today. CEG is also announcing a solicitation for grant proposals beginning the 31st of October 2022. CEG will take applications on an ongoing basis until grants are granted. The initial review of grant applications will start on November 15th 2022. The organizations that are eligible to be considered under this grant must be located on the coasts of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Grant applications are available at CEG’s website: CEG website:

www.communityeducationgroup.org. Alternatively, community-based groups can apply through setting up a virtual meeting together with CEG staff.

“In reaction to the national health crisis, Community Education Group launched the new Appalachian Partnership Fund grant geared towards groups in the community that need financial assistance to sustain their work in health education about Monkeypox,” said Young. “Community members are our eyes, ears and heart of our communities. Some may require additional support and education about LGBTQIA+ health issues, specifically , Monkeypox.”

Young stated that access to health care is difficult for many rural communities, and especially for rural LGBTQIAand people who live in Appalachia. Young says these challenges are made worse by preconceived notions about culture and a lack of knowledge and understanding for people with disabilities who identify as LGBTQIA+.

In a 2022 study , published in Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services Researchers and doctors who practice within areas like the Appalachian region comprising Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia said LGBTQIA+ patients living outside of urban areas are more likely to find medical professionals who are knowledgeable about LGBTQ+ issues or identities which could be detrimental to the health of gender and sexual minorities.

The study found that patients from rural areas tend to suffer stigmas regarding their gender identity or sexual orientation. The study found that many physicians in rural areas tend to have beliefs that are based on “heteronormativity,” or a belief that heterosexuality is a most common or preferred sexual orientation.

Health professionals in rural areas in the U.S., including Appalachia are not always equipped to tackle the epidemic of Monkeypox as well as other health issues faced by those who identify as bisexual, gay nonbinary, transgender as well as others in the LGBTQIAand LGBTQIA+ community.

The White House declared Monkeypox a public health emergency for the entire nation in 2022, on the 4th of August as well as the World Health Organization declared it an emergency for all health systems in late July 2022.

More About Our Community Education Group

Community Education Group (CEG) strives to eliminate the gaps in the health of people and to improve the health of people living in poverty and communities that are under-served. CEG is a research organization and training for community health workers and educates and tests individuals who are difficult to reach or who are at risk, disseminates its knowledge through its national networks and local efforts to build capacity, and advocates for effective and practical health policies that result in social transformation. @CEGInWV

Monkeypox

Monkeypox is one of the viruses that is less infectious as well as less likely to trigger serious disease or death as COVID-19. Monkeypox is a virus that spreads rapidly. Monkeypox is different from the beginning stages of the COVID-19 pandemic , and is usually not fatal. Important facts to know:

• There is a vaccine available for Monkeypox.
• Monkeypox can be treated using existing antiviral drugs.
• Although COVID-19 can be easily transferred from person to person, Monkeypox is not more easily between people. The most common method of transmission is skin-to skin contact or direct contact with body fluids or extended, close face-to-face contact.