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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Lisa Cordeiro Kricun, MSW and Waleska Maldonado, BS. Division of Health Promotion and Wellness, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc., 216 W. Somesrset Street, Phialdelphia, PA 19133, 215-763-8870 ext.1508, kricunl@congreso.net

One of the most daunting challenges to the health of Latino families in Eastern North Philadelphia is the growing rate of HIV infection. Nationally, Latinos represent an estimated 20% of new HIV infections (CDC, 2000). In the city of Philadelphia, Latinos currently account for approximately 13% of individuals reported to be living with HIV in the city. However, this percentage most likely under-represents the actual number of Latinos living with HIV due to a documented trend of underreporting that can be attributed to language barriers and cultural stigmas. A new model using social networks developed by the CDC and piloted by Congreso de Latinos Unidos in Philadelphia has been tremendously successful in identifying HIV positive Latinos. Through this innovative method Congreso's HIV/AIDS services has increased identification of positive individuals to 4.8% of total number tested as compared a much the lower identification rate of .7% yielded by prior outreach efforts. This workshop will present the social networks model and use a case study to illustrate how utilizing peers or “network associates” of high risk individuals and/or those with HIV is significantly more effective than traditional methods of outreach and HIV counseling and testing.

Learning Objectives:

• To illustrate the effectiveness of the social network model in working with Latino communities disproportionately impacted by HIV and AIDS. Attendees will learn about the model, be presented with a case study and data and evaluation methods related to Congreso’s Social Network Project.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Latino Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered