Mother and Child Alliance

Our friends at Illinois HIV Care Connect have launched a new campaign to raise awareness about Women and HIV, as well as HIV disparities relating to age, race, and gender identity. About 18% of new HIV diagnoses in the US occur among women, according to the CDC. As part of the #WomenandHIV Campaign, Illinois HIV Care Connect has created a new quiz where you can test your knowledge of important facts. Take the Women and HIV quiz: https://bit.ly/3XLDI8g Visit the Women and HIV site to learn more: https://lnkd.in/g3Ez5Uud

It’s officially been one year since we launched the Illinois Perinatal Syphilis Warmline — a new tool designed to help medical professionals combat the alarming rise in congenital syphilis cases across Illinois. Earlier this year NPR chose to spotlight the Warmline on its Short Wave podcast. The Warmline offers health care providers a way to access specific information, recommendations, and answers to questions about diagnosis, test interpretation, and treatment. The podcast features quotes from Laurie Ayala, the longtime administrator for our 24/7 Illinois Perinatal HIV hotline as well as the newer warmline, along with our board member Dr. Lynn Yee, who is co-medical director for both lines in addition to being an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University. Visit the link to listen to the podcast or read the article ... #HealthyMomsHealthyBabies #PublicHealth

It’s time to spotlight our fantastic perinatal data manager, the one and only Iyesha Duckworth! Iyesha has been with us for more than 12 years now, and is an essential part of Team MACA. Iyesha provides us with deep professional expertise in multiple areas including project management, data collection, analysis, and research — all combined with her understanding of public health, disease investigation, health disorders, and prevention. Iyesha says: “I'm passionate about the MACA moms we serve. I’m dedicated to making sure the healthcare systems are providing optimal care to deliver healthy babies.” We're so grateful to have Iyesha and all her amazing talents on our team!

Time is running out! Friday, November 15th, is the last day to support Team MACA in this year’s AIDS Run & Walk Chicago. Every donation brings us closer to our goal and helps sustain the vital services we provide to mothers and babies in our community. Our team came together on a windy Saturday to show our commitment, but your support will help us go the distance. A gift of any size makes a meaningful impact, providing hope, care, and essential resources. On behalf of the families we serve, thank you for standing with us! You can make a final donation here: https://lnkd.in/dinbKDBe #AIDSRunWalkChicago

"If I didn't have MACA, I wouldn't be here today with my kids. I'm not the only person that is a mother living with HIV ... I want to help other mothers and let them know that they're not alone." ? Watch this short video that tells the story of how MACA got its start two decades ago, with a mission to help moms who are living with HIV — and how we've been changing lives for the better ever since. ? #HealthyMomsHealthyBabies #NoneBornPositive #Illinois #evergreen

Just a quick note to say that we are on Bluesky in addition to our other platforms! ?? Please follow us there at: https://lnkd.in/gwc-WWhT

There are just a few days left to donate if you’d like to help us reach our goal for this year’s #AIDSRunWalkChicago — the final deadline for this year’s campaign is Friday, November 15. We’re so grateful to everyone who’s already chipped in to support Team MACA this year! Every additional contribution helps us provide life-changing resources and support to families in need. Donate here: https://lnkd.in/dinbKDBe

November is National Family Caregivers Month. This month, we celebrate the millions of caregivers in the US who do so much for others. Lots of moms in particular, especially those in the “sandwich generation,” find themselves caring for other family members in addition to their kids. Being a caregiver is rewarding, but it can be hard for caregivers to prioritize their own #MentalHealth and wellbeing while caring for others. Mental Health America has free resources and information that can help. Learn more at MHAnational.org/caregivers.

November is #PrematurityAwarenessMonth! The March of Dimes writes: Each year in the US, 1 in 10 babies is born preterm. We all have a role to play in solving the prematurity crisis in the US. It’s possible for women to have healthy pregnancies, but the US remains among the most dangerous developed nations to give birth. The US preterm birth rate stands at a 15-year high, with 1 in 10 babies born too soon each year. Black and Native American women are 62% more likely to give birth preterm. Learn more about the US maternal and infant health crisis, how you can raise awareness this month, and take action for the health of moms and babies: https://lnkd.in/gQ5b26Pr

October is #DomesticViolenceAwareness month. This year’s theme is “Heal, Hold & Center.” The Domestic Violence Awareness Project says: “We must work together to embrace the many cultural ways we can heal from violence and oppression, hold space for survivors, and center those most marginalized in all of our efforts to end domestic violence.” At MACA, we stand as advocates and allies for all survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence. We seek to realize a world where relationships are free of violence, intimidation, and duress. Some facts: ? According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in the US, an average of 20 people experience physical violence from intimate partners every minute. ? This equates to more than 10 million people experiencing domestic violence annually. ? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), survivors of intimate partner violence are at increased risk for contracting HIV or other STIs. ? It's estimated that 1 in 3 women worldwide have been subjected to physical violence, sexual intimate partner violence, or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. ? Vicious attacks on women, trans, and gender nonbinary individuals are reported every day — even as many more go unreported. ? The impact of gender-based violence is felt not only by those who are victimized, but also by their children, families, and communities. If you or someone you love experiences domestic violence, reach out to the National DV Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or chat online at thehotline.org. You are not alone! #DVAM