CDPH Participates in Violence Prevention Meeting

CDPH Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Deputy Mayor Garien Gatewood joined other government, business, and non-profit leaders at the 2024 CVI Convening and SC2 Announcement on Thursday at the South Shore Cultural Center. Hosted by the community violence intervention network, the convening aimed to bring key stakeholders together to highlight the cross-sector collaboration in Chicago to scale community violence intervention programs.

Over the last five years, CDPH has substantially increased its investments in street outreach. Today, CDPH funds 19 street outreach organizations in 25 community areas, responding to incidents and assisting individuals who are at immediate and high risk of being either victims or perpetrators of violence. Community violence intervention is one of the main pillars of Mayor Johnson's comprehensive plan for community safety. Learn more at chicago.gov/CommunitySafety.

Chicago's COVID-19 Activity is Decreasing

Respiratory illness and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have been declining in Chicago in recent weeks, and Cook County’s COVID-19 hospital admissions level is now classified as “Low.” For more information on how this metric is determined, visit CDPH’s COVID-19 Hospital Admission Levels page.

But even with declining local viral activity, the virus that causes COVID-19 continues to circulate and people are still getting sick, and there continues to be a disproportionate impact on communities of color. So it is important to stay up to date with vaccines, and be mindful of other mitigation measures, including washing hands frequently, staying home when sick, and wearing a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) when indoors in public if you are at high risk of getting very sick, or live with someone who is.

If you haven’t received the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, there is still time to get vaccinated to protect yourself and your family against infection and the risk of developing long-term health impacts from COVID-19.

Visit https://www.vaccines.gov/ or https://www.vacunas.gov/ (Spanish) to find a vaccine provider near you. For City vaccination site, go to Chicago.gov/COVID.

LGBT Youth Thoughts on Life Expectancy

A recent survey of LGBTQ+ young people conducted by non-profit The Trevor Project found that 1 in 3 respondents ages 13 to 24 believed that they more than likely were not going to live to the age of 35. The organization’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People surveyed 28,524 13-to-24-year-old LGBTQ+ youth by way of targeted social media ads.

While 73 percent of those surveyed aged 18-24 believed they had a high likelihood of living to age 35, just 59 percent of LGBTQ+ youth 13-17 years old held that same belief. There were differences between white LGBTQ+ youth -- 31 percent did not believe they would live to reach 35 years old -- and Black LGBTQ+ youth -- 41 percent of whom said they didn't believe they'd live to see 35. There were also differences between transgender and nonbinary youth and their cisgender peers.

The survey can offer pathways for ways in which adults, guardians, and allies in these young people’s lives can best support them. For instance, it notes that research has consistently documented the importance of support and affirmation as protective factors for LGBTQ+ young people. Considering this research, one way to support an LGBTQ+ young person could be to help them develop their life purpose, and creating an affirming environment where they are free to express their identity.

Trevor Project Counselors are available for LGBTQ+ youth anytime, by calling (866) 488-7386, or texting ‘START’ to 678-678.

Locally, counselors are available day and night, Monday through Saturday, at The HUB, (844) 482-4040. Supported by CDPH, The Hub is a collaboration of AIDS Foundation Chicago and the Center on Halsted.

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