This program has been supported by an independent educational grant from Gilead Sciences, Inc.
HIV health literacy empowers people living with HIV (PLWH) to confidently navigate testing, treatment, and long-term care. This webisode series addresses common challenges faced by diverse communities—supporting PLWH in learning how to talk with their care teams, understand their treatment options, and build long-term plans to protect their health and the health of others.
Webisode 1: What You Need to Know about HIV and Pregnancy
Yolanda Lawson, MD, FACOG
Immediate Past President National Medical Association
Associate Attending
Baylor University Medical Center
Dallas, TX
Janeli Castrejana
Patient Advocate
Speaker
Marketing & Public Relations Consultant
Join OB-GYN Dr. Yolanda Lawson and advocate Janeli Castrejana for a powerful conversation about pregnancy, family planning, and overcoming stigma. Learn how early care, the right treatment plan, and open communication with your care team can lead to healthy, HIV-negative babies. Janeli shares her personal story of navigating pregnancy with HIV, including her experience with stigma, her transition to a supportive care team, and how staying adherent to treatment helped her deliver three healthy children.
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Webisode 2: What is Drug Resistance and Does It Impact Me?
Christina M. Madison, PharmD, FCCP, AAHIVP
Founder and CEO
The Public Health Pharmacist, PLLC
Daniel G. Garza
Advocacy Director
Cheeky Charity
Laguna Beach, CA
In this candid conversation, Dr. Christina Madison and longtime advocate Daniel Garza break down HIV drug resistance: what it is, how it happens, and how to protect yourself. Learn why honest communication with your care team is critical to tailoring treatment that fits your lifestyle. Daniel shares how substance use and stigma once impacted his adherence—and how building trust with his doctor helped him stay on track. This webisode offers empowering tips to support your treatment success and safeguard future medication options.
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Webisode 3: Impact of HIV and Chronic Illness on Older Adults
David Alain Wohl, MD
Professor
Division of Infectious Diseases
The University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC
Davina (Dee Conner) Otalor
HIV Educator and International Speaker
Denton, TX
Dr. David Wohl and advocate Dee Otalor explore what it means to age well with HIV. From managing comorbidities like diabetes and cardiovascular disease to strengthening communication with your provider, this episode emphasizes partnership, prevention, and proactive self-care. Dee shares her lived experience of living—and thriving—with HIV for over 28 years, while Dr. Wohl offers clinical insight on how to create a long-term plan that supports heart, bone, brain, and overall health.
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Downloadable Resources
Enabling Patient-Physician Communication about HIV During Pregnancy
Bring this printable checklist of essential questions to your next doctor’s visit. You will have a guide to help you speak up and advocate for yourself, improving communication with your doctor.
Supporting Patients with HIV Who May Become Pregnant
Access this resource to learn key information about HIV transmission during and after pregnancy, what can be done to reduce the risk of perinatal transmission, and how to work with a physician to make a plan for healthy childbirth.