Agency Highlights
GMHC intervenes in the lives of those most at risk for HIV transmission
quickly, efficiently, and successfully
Intervening in the lives of those most at risk for HIV transmission early on, with
vigorous, effective, and successful prevention strategies remains an invaluable part
of our mission. GMHC spent the last fiscal year focusing its priorities on engaging
communities in New York City with populations that are the most at risk for becoming
infected with HIV, including: young people, communities of African, Caribbean, Latin
and Asian descent, gay, and homosexually-active men and women, and immigrants. Connecting
these communities with HIV testing and prevention earlier than ever before allowed us to
interrupt the progression of HIV disease, prevent additional transmission, and enhance
the quality of their lives.
After fighting for (and winning) increased accessibility to rapid HIV testing technology,
GMHC launched the rapid test (with results in 20 minutes) during National HIV Testing
Week in June. GMHC's David Geffen Center for HIV Prevention and Health Education's
extensive targeted outreach around this new technology — which included extensive
referrals from trained volunteers on our AIDS Hotline — led to a significant jump
in the number of tests taken and enhanced our ability to offer early intervention.
Because the rapid HIV test is fully integrated into GMHC's already successful testing
and counseling model, we increased people's knowledge about their HIV status, armed
them with the information they need to stay healthy, and connected them to appropriate
services and care with efficiency and ease.
Prevention for HIV-positive people is also an important part of what we do. For
example, GMHC's Prevention Case Management program enrolls HIV-positive men who
have sex with men (not all of whom identify themselves as gay) and who are active
drug users, in an intensive three-month program where they receive counseling and
support in an effort to stabilize their lives. Many of these men are unable to access
care, and are woefully lacking resources to maintain their health. While enrolled
in the program, they are connected to HIV-positive peer buddies who assist them
in navigating and accessing resources in and out of GMHC.
The goal of GMHC's Institute for Gay Men's Health is to promote the well-being of gay
men in a way that promotes HIV prevention as part of sexual health. Through rigorous
participation in a number of social and behavioral research activities over the past
year, the Institute was successful in enhancing and targeting its prevention messages
and services to the communities it serves — black, Latino, Caucasian, and gay men, as
well as young people involved in the House and Ball community. Through widespread
individual outreach in bathhouses, clubs, and on Fire Island, the Institute's trained
volunteers disseminated condoms and information about how to avoid HIV, Syphilis, and
Hepatitis. In addition, the Institute conducted critical workshops addressing the risks
associated with sexual activity and substance use (like crystal methamphetamine and sex);
hosted monthly Friday Forums that provided opportunities for respected researchers to
have honest medical discussions of best practices in prevention and treatment with the
public; and spearheaded "street level" research of sexual behavior that generated
enormous amounts of data that will help us develop the next generation of programs.
The Women and Family Services Department continued to break new ground in HIV
prevention, creating important education and advocacy partnerships with sister
organizations in the community. The department distributed over 18,000 safer sex
kits to women, along with education materials, and referrals to care. GMHC's
women-focused services addressed the complex issues that affect women's ability
to access HIV care and remain in care, such as poverty, domestic violence, substance
use, parenting and child care. The Child Life Program provided critical support for
families who face the multiple challenges of child-rearing, family re-integration,
HIV disclosure, and permanency planning. Child Life also helped families strengthen
their networks of support in order to help alleviate the stigma and discrimination
they experience around HIV and AIDS. Marking its 10th year, the Lesbian AIDS Project
continued to be one of the few programs in the country to address the specific HIV
education, prevention and support needs of lesbians and other women who have sex
with women.
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