Peter Meacher, MD, South Bronx Health Center, Montefiore Medical Center, 871 Prospect Ave., Bronx, NY 10459, (718) 991-0605, pmeacher@montefiore.org and Alan Shapiro, MD, South Bronx Health Center for Children and Families, 871 Prospect Avenue, Bronx, NY 10459.

The South Bronx Health Center for Children and Families (SBHCCF) serves a community with one of the nation’s highest HIV rates - up to 3% of the population is infected. More than 10% of the population report activities considered high risk for HIV. The Bronx comprises 16.6 % of the New York City population but 24.2% of new HIV cases in NYC. Principal modes of transmission were intravenous drug use (51%), gay male sexual activity (23%), and heterosexual activity (16%). The SBHCCF provides comprehensive, family-focused HIV services to adult (including obstetric) patients in a primary care setting, including medical care by an HIV Specialist Family Physician, peer education, nutrition services, mental health and case management. Services are provided in English and Spanish. To reduce non-adherence, multiple appointments are scheduled on the same day, and care is provided in a community clinic setting to reduce the potential stigma of attending an HIV clinic. Group counseling is provided as a lunchtime activity, with as many as 13 participants. As of 7/03, 98 HIV positive patients (age range, 19 to 73 years) were receiving care. Approximately 50% were female and two were transgender females. More than half were primary caregivers for SBHCCF pediatric patients. Because of its high prevalence in this community, a focus is on treatment of hepatitis C as a co-morbidity. Comprehensive HIV services are rarely available in the high-risk, low income communities most directly affected by HIV/AIDS. This is a model for effective community-based intervention for this highly vulnerable population.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation, participants will

• better understand the elements of a comprehensive HIV/AIDS treatment program;
• better understand the importance of including these program elements in the primary care settng;
• have learned a model that can be replicated in other high risk communities

Keywords: HIV Interventions, Health Care

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.