Program Description

Knowledge is Power

For nearly 30 years, AIDS Action has been a leader in HIV prevention. We educate people about HIV, working directly with those most at risk to make sure they have the tools to avoid infection. We also work with people who are HIV-positive to make sure they know their HIV status, get connected to care, and understand how they can keep from passing the virus on to others.

In recent years, our work has expanded to include STD and hepatitis C prevention, as well. Sexually transmitted diseases like herpes and syphilis can increase a person’s risk of contracting HIV, and certain activities, like injection drug use, can put people at risk for hepatitis C and HIV.

To help you avoid infection, AIDS Action can work with you to:

• Educate yourself, your friends, and your community about HIV, STDs, and hepatitis C

• Access condoms, clean needles, and other prevention tools

• Understand testing options and find places to get tested that work for you

• Connect with people who understand what you’re going through and can give you support

AIDS Action’s Needle Exchange distributes and exchanges syringes to injection drug users (IDUs). Needle Exchange is one of four state-sanctioned and state-funded syringe exchange programs in Massachusetts. The program also operates a drop-in center where members can access risk reduction supplies such as crack kits, safer injection supplies, and condoms. Members can participate in periodic groups as well as receive individual risk reduction counseling, information and referrals to medical, substance use, and other social service providers. Needle Exchange is also one of the state’s pilot sites for the distribution of Narcan, a nasal spray distributed to IDUs and their network of supportive family and friends to reverse potentially fatal overdoses.

At AIDS Action we take a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention and care, and it works. Since 1999, we’ve helped reduce new HIV diagnoses in Massachusetts by 52%, which has meant that 6,337 people who might otherwise have become HIV positive have remained negative, and more than $2.4 billion in HIV-related health care costs will be saved.

We go beyond the basics of providing safer sex kits and HIV meds, and work face to face with the people most affected by HIV. We understand their complex needs and how these needs impact their health.

• If you're trapped in an abusive relationship, it can be hard to insist on using condoms.
• If you're looking for a place to sleep, it can be hard to keep track of your meds.
• If depression or addiction take charge of your life, it can be hard to focus on your health.

These experiences are all too common for the thousands of people we work with, most of whom have incomes of less than $10,000 a year. That's why we provide comprehensive support services to help HIV-negative people stay negative and to keep HIV-positive people in good health.

HIV COUNSELING & TESTING

HIV counseling and testing is included as part of many of AIDS Action’s prevention programs. AIDS Action does not offer stand-alone HIV counseling and testing. In order to ensure that those most at risk for HIV and least likely to seek out testing in clinical settings access testing, AIDS Action delivers testing and counseling services within our targeted prevention programs. This increases the likelihood that these individuals will quickly learn this HIV status and, if needed, access support services for those newly diagnosed with HIV and get connected with care.

HOUSING

A range of housing options are available to people living with HIV/AIDS, including transitional, permanent, congregate, and scattered site housing units throughout Greater Boston. Client advocates and housing specialists on staff work with clients to meet their housing needs.