|
HIV PREVENTION & SERVICES
Cambridge Health Alliance is committed to reducing the number of
HIV infections in our communities, as well as providing medical
care and social services to those who are HIV positive. We accomplish
these goals through outreach efforts that includes distributing
language-appropriate materials, HIV counseling and testing, and
by providing primary care. In all services, strict confidentiality
is maintained.
The HIV Prevention & Services consists of six components. These
include:
- HIV Counseling & Testing
- Hepatitis C program
- Haitian Health Outreach Program
- Portuguese Speakers Prevention and Education Program
- Case Management
- HIV Primary Care
HIV Counseling and Testing
HIV Counseling & Testing provides confidential HIV-testing
and counseling services for people who are at high risk for HIV,
regardless of one's ability to pay. These services are available
in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, French, and Cape Verdean
Creole at several sites across Cambridge and Somerville. Interpreters
of other languages are also available.
Hepatitis C Program
This program provides testing for Hepatitis C and counseling about
Hepatitis C transmission, prevention, and referrals for treatment.
Counseling sessions are available on an individual or group basis.
Staff members speak English and Spanish, and provide written material
about Hepatitis C in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian Creole.
Also, arrangements for interpreters of languages other than Spanish
to attend these sessions can also be made.
Haitian Health Outreach Program
The Haitian Health Outreach Program raises awareness about HIV/AIDS
and STD prevention/education in a way that is consistent with the
Haitian cultural values and linguistically appropriate for the different
segments of the Haitian population. Services include interventions
and meetings with community agencies and Haitian providers, and
workshops for Haitian men, Haitian women and Haitians living with
AIDS. The workshops are designed to allow participants to learn
about HIV/AIDS and STD prevention and to discuss their concerns.
Portuguese Speakers Prevention and Education Program
The Portuguese Speakers Prevention and Education Program is designed
to provide HIV prevention information to Portuguese-speaking individuals
in a culturally sensitive manner. This is achieved through Men’s,
Women’s and Volunteers’ support/education groups for the Portuguese
speaking population. Staff members speak English and Portuguese.
HIV Case Management
Cambridge Health Alliance offers a case management program for HIV-positive
clients. The case managers link clients with emotional and social
support, financial assistance (rental start-up and utilities assistance),
legal referrals, housing and family matters. Staff members speak
English, Portuguese and Haitian Creole, with other languages available
through our excellent multilingual interpreters.
HIV Primary Care
The Alliance offers two forms of HIV care:
A dedicated HIV clinic, The
Zinberg Clinic located in The Cambridge Hospital, uses a multidisciplinary
approach to provide primary care, specialty care, mental health
and social services, acupuncture and massage therapy, regardless
of the patient’s ability to pay.
Specialized care done in conjunction with primary care through
Somerville Primary Care. In this model, an HIV nurse and case managers
visit Alliance health centers for HIV related education, medication
initiation and adherence issues. The HIV nurse and case manager
support both patient and primary care providers. Additionally, the
case manager connects patients to HIV related services, such as
dental programs, mental health care, health insurance, and drug
reimbursement. Patients in need of specialized consultation are
referred to an HIV provider. This form of care enables patients
to receive HIV care while maintaining their relationship with their
primary care provider.
Program Contact Information:
HIV/Hepatitis C Counseling and Testing 617-591-6767
Monday through Friday
9:00am to 5:00pm
Hepatitis C Program 617-591-6734
Haitian Health Outreach Program 617-591-6780
Portuguese Speakers Prevention & Education Program 617-591-6768
HIV Case Management 617-591-6772 and 617-591-6773
HIV Primary Care at The Zinberg Clinic
The Cambridge Hospital
Cahill Building, 2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-665-1606
HIV Primary Care at Somerville Primary Care
26 Central Street
Somerville, MA 02143
617-591-6328
|
