The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #57861

Patricia Canessa, MA, PhD, Midwest Hispanic Health Coalition, 53 W. Jackson Blvd. Suite 1320, Chicago, IL IL, (312) 913-3001, pcanessam@yahoo.com

The average life span of individuals with AIDS has progressively increased as a consequence of treatment and better understanding of other protective factors leading to prolong a functional life among AIDS people.This is evident too among Latinos living in the United States. In response to this improvement, however, still there is a need to engage significant and culturally relevant institutions to Latinos. Churches and other spiritual providers have remained elusive to this commitment, specially in addressing prevention and women with HIV/AIDS. The Midwest Hispanic Health Coalition, developed a Regional Interfaith and Professional Dialogue to assess key barriers and identify potential strategies to integrate faith institutions in the continuum of care of Latinos with HIV. Findings from this dialogue and the later development of comprehensive efforts will be introduced in this workshop.

Learning Objectives:

• To become aquainted with the barriers that people with AIDS experience while seeking support from communities of faith.
• To learn from the faith communities their constrains that impair to serve people with AIDS.
• To identify key steps to build a coalition between the faith and public health communities.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Community-Based Partnership

Related Web page: mhhc@mhhcsalud.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Midwest Hispanic Health Coalition
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.