As a gay and queer student at the University of Michigan, I take great pride in being part of a campus community known for its progressive values and commitment to diversity. This pride drives me to advocate for a more inclusive and supportive campus environment for LGBTQ+ students. We need to recognize the gaps in care and resources that leave vulnerable students feeling unsupported at critical moments.
Recent incidents have highlighted the urgent need to improve our medical services and sexual health education.
One student, who gave me permission to share his experience, received his HIV-positive diagnosis from University Health Services outside of working hours through a non-personal online notification. When students opened the message, they were isolated and had no immediate help. Imagine, for a moment, receiving life-changing news alone. Is this the way members of our community deserve to be treated?
I spent the night with the student and was concerned about their mental state as they struggled to understand the news. The next morning, they returned to UHS for help, but they didn’t have to wait all night for support after receiving an online notification about such a serious diagnosis. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health, best practices for supporting individuals after being diagnosed with HIV include providing a safe and private space to communicate the diagnosis, initial treatment options, and more. This includes talking to people about their HIV status and providing immediate emotional support while receiving an HIV-positive diagnosis. Allow patients to ask questions. Ideally, this will be delivered in-person or through telehealth options. In many other cities, including my hometown of New York City, health care providers ensure that serious diagnoses provide immediate and appropriate psychological support.
Thanks to medical advances, HIV is preventable through treatments such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, also known as PrEP, and targeted public health campaigns. When students become infected with HIV, it highlights serious flaws in the public health system. We should be at the forefront of efforts to prevent new infections, but many students still don’t know about prevention options like PrEP or how to access them through their health insurance. This gap in access and education leaves students vulnerable and undermines our commitment to student health.
As public health students Yizhou Ma and Yucheng Zhang highlighted in a May 2024 editorial in The Michigan Daily, many health care providers still believe that PrEP is a primary prevention tool for HIV. lack of awareness, which can hinder access to this important resource in all communities. . Their call for expanded PrEP education complements the need for comprehensive, LGBTQ+-inclusive care that addresses both prevention and the compassionate provision of important health information.
To address these gaps, UHS must actively promote PrEP as a critical resource for all sexually active students. UHS and the Spectrum Center have partnered to launch a campus-wide education campaign to raise awareness about PrEP, its benefits, and how to access it affordably. Ensure that LGBTQ+ students have access to culturally competent UHS health care providers who are trained in LGBTQ+-specific health care needs and understand the unique health challenges faced by our community. There is a need. Additionally, UHS must ensure that students, especially those with a positive HIV diagnosis, have immediate access to trained counselors, either through in-person support or after-hours telehealth options. By implementing these practices, UHS ensures that students do not have to go through such shocking news alone, and that friends and classmates take on the responsibility of providing emotional support in moments of crisis. can be avoided.
To those diagnosed with or living with HIV, please know that you are not alone. You’ll find a community here to support you, including trained medical professionals who are committed to compassionate care. Consider contacting Spectrum Center or Vivent Health, an HIV care provider with offices in Ypsilanti and Detroit. HIV can be effectively treated and people living with HIV can live full, happy and healthy lives.
If universities truly aim to embody the “Michigan Difference” and support the well-being of all students, they must prioritize the needs of their most vulnerable populations. With the right education, support, and support, universities are equipped with the resources for HIV prevention and treatment in their communities. UHS ensures that difficult news is delivered in a manner that respects the dignity of all students through appropriate care and compassionate policies.
As a proud gay and queer student attending college, I believe we can and must do better. Our university has the potential to be a leader in supporting LGBTQ+ health and wellness. We strive for a campus where everyone has access to the care they need, where no one overcomes health challenges alone, and where all students can reach their full potential in a supportive environment. Sho.
Usman Olagoke (he/him) is a PhD candidate in Design Science at the University of Michigan. Please contact utamano@umich.edu.
