 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Verne Kemerer, MPH, LTS Corporation, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 7-90, Rockville, MD 20857, R. Cameron Wolf, PhD, Office of Science and Epidemiology, HRSA/HAB, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 7-90, Rockville, MD 20857, and Kathleen Handley, PhD, Special Projects of National Significance, HRSA/HAB, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301/443-8109, khandley@hrsa.gov.
With a prevalence rate of 2.3%, the Caribbean is the second most HIV-impacted region, outside of Sub-Saharan Africa. Circular migration occurs between the Caribbean and the United States. In order to assess the impact of Caribbean migration on HIV care in the U.S. and help ensure continuity of care for Caribbean migrants, an epidemiologic profile of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean was constructed along with a synthetic estimation of HIV prevalence among Caribbeans living in the U.S. Between 1996 and 1999, nearly 1.4 million individuals migrated from the Caribbean to the U.S. Using Caribbean prevalence rates and migration data, we estimated that between 6,445 and 15,579 HIV-positive Caribbean migrants entered the U.S during 1999.
Additionally, a series of focus groups among clients and providers in Florida, New York, and Puerto Rico identified social and cultural factors and barriers associated with HIV/AIDS care and treatment including: stigma and discrimination, immigration status, language barriers, difficulty with employment, housing, and social services. Given this situation, existing resources and outreach efforts to link care with this population are inadequate. Recommendations include: (1) improving HIV/AIDS care for Caribbean migrants in the U.S. through peer support models, and (2) building continuity of care between U.S. and Caribbean health care providers through twinning, which will link health care facilities in the U.S. and the Caribbean.
Learning Objectives:
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.