PRNewswire - November 13, 2002
NEW YORK, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Positive Health Project, a New York City syringe exchange program, and Diversified Health Systems Management, Inc., today announced the opening of Positive Health Care, the nation's first comprehensive health care center targeting high-risk clients, including current and former injection drug users (IDUs). The center aims to minimize the risk of infection with HIV and hepatitis C within this population and to maintain the health of those who already have contracted these diseases.
Positive Health Care provides primary medical care, dentistry, and HIV/AIDS testing and counseling services. The health care center's patient base includes clients from syringe exchange programs such as Positive Health Project and other organizations throughout the city.
"Positive Health Care provides medical services in a respectful, compassionate manner," said Dr. Richard Gold, medical director of Positive Health Care. "It is our hope that by offering them access to high quality and non-discriminatory health care, they will begin to realize their self-worth and make lifestyle changes that can reduce their health risks."
Many injection drug users and other high-risk populations are homeless and therefore have limited access to medical services. Moreover, this population often avoids medical services for fear of legal repercussions and discrimination associated with drug addiction.
Although New York City encompasses only three percent of the U.S. population, the city claims sixteen percent of all AIDS cases in the nation.
Of the 4,000 - 6,000 new HIV/AIDS cases reported in New York City in 2000, 39 percent of those infections are attributable to injection drug use.(1)
Independent research studies have shown that Positive Health Project and other needle exchange programs have significantly reduced the risk of HIV infection in New York City among IDUs.(2) According to the Office of Drug Control and Policy, New York City continues to be the most significant heroin destination and distribution center in the U.S.(1)
About Positive Health Care
Positive Health Care is a health care center targeted to injection drug users, and founded on the basic principles of harm reduction. The health care center currently includes five exam rooms, one treatment room for medical procedures and three dental suites. Supporting hospital services for Positive Health Care are provided by St. Vincent's Medical Center.
About Positive Health Project
Positive Health Project, Inc. is a HIV prevention and syringe exchange program that targets injection drug users and other substance users, sex workers, transgender individuals and their partners. Positive Health Project's services include syringe exchange, street outreach, support groups, case management, mental health services, HIV/HCV treatment advocacy, HIV/HCV educational workshops, women's services and transgender advocacy.
(1) AIDS New York City/AIDS Surveillance Update 2000. New York: New York City Department of Health HIV/AIDS Surveillance Program, 2001.
(2) Behavioral Risk Reduction in a Declining HIV Epidemic: Injection Drug Users in New York City, 1990-1997, Am J Public Health 2000 Jul;90(7):1112-6.
SOURCE Positive Health Project
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