On this episode we talk with our friend Michael Kopp. Kopp works with Louisville Metro Public Health and also founded the nonprofit Social Practice Lab. Their Mission is to invest resources in our most underserved communities in order to address and resolve the health equity gap.
HIV cases are on the rise in Jefferson County. 1 in 3 of all new HIV positive cases report injecting drugs within the last 12 months. Increasing the accessibility of comprehensive HIV prevention, testing, and linkage to care services are essential to stoping the spread.
The Social Practice Lab is partnering with LMPHW to expand harm reduction services to the Shelby Park neighborhood. This location was selected because 40203 is the number one zip code for EMS runs (2020-2021) in response to overdoses, and more than 1,000 current LMPHW Harm Reduction Program participants report living in 40203.
Increase accessibility of comprehensive HIV and HCV prevention and treatment healthcare
Provide barrier-free access to harm reduction services
Decrease HIV and HCV transmission rates
Decrease overdose and overdose death rates