Medical Care | Prevention Services | Support Services

Over the years, the HIV standard of care has evolved to meet the needs of those who are HIV+. Treatments have changed HIV / AIDS from a disease that killed quickly to a treatable chronic illness. In the 1980s, AIDS Service Organizations only provided palliative care and support. With the introduction of effective drug therapy in the 1990s, people are living longer and the focus of care has shifted. Effective treatments can control HIV+ / AIDS, but medicines are costly and their strong side effects can amplify the burden of the disease.

From its beginning, CCC has worked diligently to meet these changing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. According to the SC Department of Health & Environmental Control (SCDHEC), CCC currently serves more than 70% of the 526 people in the service area known to be HIV+. CCC is constantly employing new strategies to identify people who may not know their HIV status and to bring more HIV+ people into care. In fact, the number of clients served by the clinic has almost tripled since its first year, from 129 in 2000 to 343 in 2006. This growth, coupled with the shift to long-term treatment, has increased the need for specialty care and the overall cost of client care.

Unlike many AIDS Services Organizations, CCC is able to offer clients comprehensive care in one location. The direct link between medical care, support services and prevention allows for a continuum of care that better serves and supports the Catawba Health District.