PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER TO REDUCE HIV TRANSMISSION.

The Public Health Service has historically had an inherent commitment to equity in health care and prevention for the American population. In spite of this commitment, however, the U.S. continues to maintain huge gaps in health between racial and ethnic minority communities and predominantly white communities.

Funded by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC)

The 2000 US Census estimates that there are 31,192 Haitians living in the greater Boston area, with some statewide estimates as high as 75,000 - 80,000 (MDPH, 1998). HIV/AIDS affects a large number of Haitians, both in the U.S and Haiti. The rate of heterosexual transmission of HIV within the Massachusetts Haitian community is more than three times the rate among non-Haitians. In Massachusetts, 1,018 cumulative cases of AIDS/HIV have been reported among Haitians (MDPH, 9/2003). The proportion of women among Haitian people with AIDS in Massachusetts is very high compared with the state's general population. The high rate and rapid rise in the number of Haitian women living with AIDS further highlight the course of the HIV epidemic in the Haitian community and the need for more coordinated HIV prevention messages that address sexual and risky behaviors.

About 3.5 years ago, the Metro Boston Haitian REACH 2010 HIV Coalition led by the Center for Community Health, Education & Research, (CCHER) was formed in conjunction with the University of Massachusetts-Boston, the Boston Public Health Commission, six local Haitian community based organizations and two medical health centers serving Haitians inside and outside of Boston. The coalition is funded by the Centers for Disease Control's REACH 2010 program, which aims to reduce HIV disparities in the Haitian population by 2010.

The Metro Boston Haitian REACH 2010 HIV Coalition is launching a multi-media campaign to communicate and positively reinforce changes toward safer behavior for the local Haitian population. Featuring the faces of members of the Haitian community, the campaign declares, "SIDA Se Zafé Nou Tout. Ann Potekole Nan Yon Konbit Kominote Pou N Bare Wout Li." or "HIV/AIDS: We are all concerned. Let's Work Together to Stop the Virus." The first phase of this media campaign aims at reinforcing the community mobilization against HIV. This message will be present throughout the metro-Boston area: on red line trains, buses originating from Ruggles Station, four billboards, multiple posters, and a radio message.

This campaign is unique in that it is the result of the groundbreaking, collaborative work of several community-based organizations and medical health centers, each of which is experienced in working within the local Haitian community. In addition to the media campaign, the Coalition has conducted a community survey regarding HIV, has developed specific HIV prevention tools, and provides HIV/AIDS educational trainings to Haitian Women, Haitian Men, Haitian adolescents, newly arrived Haitian immigrants, Haitians living with HIV and Haitian couples. The coalition members are: the Association of Haitian Women in Boston, Boston Medical Center/Children’s AIDS Program, Cambridge Health Alliance – Haitian Health Outreach Project, Caribbean U-Turn, Haitian Church of the Nazarene, Haitian American Public Health Initiative, Haitian Multi-Service Center, and Mass. Community Health Services/Brockton CHASE AIDS.

For more information about the REACH 2010 Project
Contact at 617-265-0628 ext. 233 or E-Mail