Advocacy Analysis Hassle Free Clinic
Advocacy analysis of the Hassle Free Clinic, highlighting its role in HIV prevention and care for underserved populations in Toronto. Emphasizes barriers to testing and the clinic’s impact on improving access to sexual health services.
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Advocacy Analysis: Hassle Free Clinic
Hara Yoo
Master of Science in Nursing Education, Walden University
PA004: Design and Implementation
Dr. Carohm Boiman
September 7, 2024
Hara Yoo
Master of Science in Nursing Education, Walden University
PA004: Design and Implementation
Dr. Carohm Boiman
September 7, 2024
Advocacy Analysis: Hassle Free Clinic
In Canada, more than 63, 000 people were living with HIV in 2016, and another 23,
000 new diagnosis were made from 2008 to 2017 (Laprise & Bolster-Foucault, 2021). HIV is
the sixth ranking infectious disease burden in Ontario (City of Toronto, 2019). Nearly half of
the reported HIV cases in Ontario are within Toronto alone, associated with burden of high-
risk groups such as intravenous drug users, persons who immigrate from regions with high
HIV rates, men who have sex with men (NISM), and Indigenous persons (City of Toronto,
2019). HIV is not a curable disease but with appropriate treatment, viral suppression can be
achieved to reduce long-term impacts of HIV and prevent further transmission. The most
crucial step in the HIV care cascade - diagnosis, link to care, antiretroviral therapy initiation,
and achievement of viral suppression - is to be tested and diagnosed (Laprise & Bolster-
Foucault, 2021). In this current day, HIV testing is largely available, but barriers remain due
to stigma, discrimination, and social determinants of health which often include the
marginalized and underserved populations. The Hassle Free Clinic, suggested by it's name,
provides a hassle free approach to providing medical care for both female and male sexual
health.
Program, Costs and Outcomes
The Hassle Free Clinic arose in 1973 on Yonge street, providing drug crisis
counselling and treatment to the public. By 1975, the drug scene has settled down and the
non-judgemental and discreet medical care attracted both men and women for sexually
transmitted disease treatments and birth control access. By the mid-1980s, AIDS crisis began
and the clinic started to offer HIV education and prevention counselling. Once HIV testing
became available, the clinic opted to offer anonymous testing which was illegal in Ontario at
the time. The number of positive HIV cases were increasing each year and by 1989, the clinic
In Canada, more than 63, 000 people were living with HIV in 2016, and another 23,
000 new diagnosis were made from 2008 to 2017 (Laprise & Bolster-Foucault, 2021). HIV is
the sixth ranking infectious disease burden in Ontario (City of Toronto, 2019). Nearly half of
the reported HIV cases in Ontario are within Toronto alone, associated with burden of high-
risk groups such as intravenous drug users, persons who immigrate from regions with high
HIV rates, men who have sex with men (NISM), and Indigenous persons (City of Toronto,
2019). HIV is not a curable disease but with appropriate treatment, viral suppression can be
achieved to reduce long-term impacts of HIV and prevent further transmission. The most
crucial step in the HIV care cascade - diagnosis, link to care, antiretroviral therapy initiation,
and achievement of viral suppression - is to be tested and diagnosed (Laprise & Bolster-
Foucault, 2021). In this current day, HIV testing is largely available, but barriers remain due
to stigma, discrimination, and social determinants of health which often include the
marginalized and underserved populations. The Hassle Free Clinic, suggested by it's name,
provides a hassle free approach to providing medical care for both female and male sexual
health.
Program, Costs and Outcomes
The Hassle Free Clinic arose in 1973 on Yonge street, providing drug crisis
counselling and treatment to the public. By 1975, the drug scene has settled down and the
non-judgemental and discreet medical care attracted both men and women for sexually
transmitted disease treatments and birth control access. By the mid-1980s, AIDS crisis began
and the clinic started to offer HIV education and prevention counselling. Once HIV testing
became available, the clinic opted to offer anonymous testing which was illegal in Ontario at
the time. The number of positive HIV cases were increasing each year and by 1989, the clinic
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