Vivent Health designated “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Healthcare Equality Index
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vivent Health recognized for its impact in closing equity gaps for LGBTQ+ people
MILWAUKEE, WI — Today, Vivent Health announced it received a top score of 100 and designation of “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s annual Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey of healthcare facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees. This is the 10th consecutive year Vivent Health has earned this recognition.
Understanding that many people living with HIV face complex clinical and social needs, Vivent Health’s patient-centered HIV Medical Home model of care is specifically designed to address barriers to care and tackle health equity gaps impacting the LGBTQ+ community. Rather than providing a one-size fits all solution, Vivent Health’s integrated approach offers each patient the physical, behavioral, emotional, and social services to assure his or her unique needs are addressed, care is closely coordinated, and the best clinical outcomes are achieved.
HIV continues to disproportionately impact the LGBTQ+ community. While advancements in health care mean people living with HIV can now live long, healthy lives without the possibility of transmitting HIV to others, many patients continue to face stigma, discrimination, homelessness, hunger, and poverty. Helping patients overcome these social determinants of health is central to Vivent Health’s unique model of care
“Every person deserves to have access to quality healthcare, be respected and heard by their doctor, and feel safe in the facility where they are receiving care,” said Tari Hanneman, Director of Health & Aging at The Human Rights Campaign. “The Healthcare Equality Index, at its core, strives to ensure LGBTQ+ people are protected and affirmed by their healthcare providers and feel safe seeking services. Our HEI active participants are truly pioneering the healthcare industry by implementing robust, comprehensive LGBTQ+ inclusive policies that hopefully, because of their work, will become standard practice.”
The HEI 2022 implements four core objectives which are reflected in its criteria:
- Ensure foundational protection for patients, visitors and staff in patient and staff policies and provide cultural competency training on LGBTQ inclusion
- Demonstrate progress toward inclusion on LGBTQ patient care and support
- Cultivate an inclusive workforce by providing LGBTQ-inclusive employee support and benefits
- Demonstrate public commitment to the LGBTQ community
You can download the 2022 HEI report here. To learn more about Vivent Health’s work go to www.viventhealth.org.
About Vivent Health
Vivent Health is a nationally recognizing leader in the fight against HIV/ AIDS. Vivent Health is best known for its high-quality HIV patient outcomes and operates the only HIV Medical Home in America recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The HIV Medical Home model of care offers integrated health and social services including medical, dental, mental health and pharmacies, along with case management and social support provided by a team of professionals dedicated to patient care. Vivent Health is also a leading provider of innovative and aggressive prevention services that help at-risk individuals remain HIV negative. Vivent Health operates in 17 locations in Colorado, Missouri, Texas and Wisconsin, and serves tens of thousands of people at-risk for HIV, and more than 10,000 people living with HIV annually. To learn more about Vivent Health go to www.viventhealth.org.
About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation:
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices; it builds the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training programs; and, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.
###
Media Contact: Cindy Cooper
Cindy.Cooper@viventhealth.org
(414) 704-7190