The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #47849

Amadee Braxton¹, Arun Prabhakaran¹, Genevieve Fulco², and Casey Cook, MSS, MLSP². (1) Youth Health Empowerment Project, Philadelphia FIGHT, 1233 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-985-4448 x 181, abraxton@fight.org, (2) Prevention Point Philadelphia, 333 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Harm reduction is an integral component of effective HIV prevention programming. This session will demonstrate how two Philadelphia community-based organizations have incorporated harm reduction in working with high-risk communities. Youth Health Empowerment Project (Y-HEP) is an innovative youth development program that works to help Philadelphia’s most vulnerable teens become healthy, sexually responsible and productive adults. Y-HEP reaches 15,000 high-risk, hard-to-reach and out-of-school youth through outreach, education and supportive services in locations where teens feel comfortable and in language they understand. Y-HEP’s outreach staff are hired from the neighborhoods where they work, receive intensive training as peer health advocates, and deliver a powerful health promotion and prevention message as role models for other youth. Prevention Point Philadelphia (PPP) a multi-service organization working to reduce the harm associated with drug use and sex work by offering a safe and humane alternative to the War on Drugs. In addressing the dual epidemics of HIV and drug use, PPP provides culturally sensitive, non-judgmental prevention services for drug users and sex workers. PPP’s Syringe Exchange Program provides new syringes in exchange for used ones. Participants develop strategies for reducing their risk of HIV and access HIV testing and referrals for drug treatment, medical care, and social services. Free medical care is offered through PPP’s Street-Side Health Project. PPP’s Harm Reduction Services Center houses activity and support groups and a legal clinic. These programs can be used as models for other urban areas that seek to implement harm reduction programs for at-risk adolescents and drug users.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

1)Identify Harm Reduction as an effective HIV prevention starategy
• Understand peer-based service delivery as an effective public health intervetion 3)Adopt Harm Reduction strategies in their work with individuals and communities

Keywords: HIV Interventions, Community-Based Health Promotion

Related Web page: www.critpath.org/ppp

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.