Press Release
For Immediate Release Contact: Stephanie Goss, A&PI Wellness Center / (415) 292-3420 x 330
August 11, 2010 David Stupplebeen, A&PI Wellness Center / (415) 292-3420 x 361
CDC Funds Bay Area Collaborative to Deliver HIV Prevention to Asians & Pacific Islanders
SAN FRANCISCO – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, Asian Americans for Community Involvement and Asian Health Services $1.9 million over 5 years to fund a collaborative HIV prevention project specifically targeting Asian & Pacific Islander (A&PI) men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Bay Area.
CDC is funding HIV prevention programs implemented by community-based organizations and collaborations that “reflect local prevention priorities and serve persons at high risk for acquiring or transmitting HIV.” In San Francisco, HIV rates among A&PIs increased almost six-fold (487%) from 1990 to 2000. Since A&PIs comprise a third of the general population in the Bay Area, small percentage increases in HIV actually affect large numbers of people. High levels of HIV risk behavior have been observed among A&PI MSM, yet only one CDC approved evidence-based intervention specifically targets this population—and that intervention was developed more than 10 years ago.
“Traditional HIV prevention programs often overlook the unique needs of the A&PI community,” said Carlos Bermudez, director of health education at A&PI Wellness Center. “Successful HIV prevention programs must address the complex interplay of homophobia, racism and cultural or linguistic isolation to really get A&PI MSM into HIV testing and reduce their risk.”
More than two thirds of Asian Americans and half of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have never been tested for HIV, partly due to challenges in reaching diverse A&PI communities – comprised of more than 49 distinct ethnic groups speaking more than 100 languages and dialects – with life-saving prevention education information. Other issues, such as cultural stigmas surrounding HIV and immigration status also pose significant barriers to HIV testing and timely access to care for many A&PIs.
The collaborative will use community and group interventions in addition to counseling and HIV testing to decrease HIV risk at individual and community levels. Community members will share personal stories, interweaving identity, sexuality, and health.
“We want this unique approach to have a visionary impact,” said Lance Toma, executive director of A&PI Wellness Center. “We want to reduce HIV incidence and eradicate HIV-related stigma. Together, the A&PI MSM community can take collective responsibility for its health.”
About Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center (A&PI Wellness Center)
A&PI Wellness Center is a health services, education, research and policy organization dedicated to educating, supporting, empowering and advocating for Asian and Pacific Islander communities – particularly A&PIs living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS. With staff fluent in 20 languages, A&PI Wellness Center delivers programs regionally, statewide, and nationally, and collaborates with community-based organizations throughout the Asia Pacific Region. For press materials or more information please visit www.apiwellness.org.
About Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)
Focusing on the diverse Asian American community, AACI's mission is to improve the health, mental health, and well-being of individuals and their families by providing an array of human services. Located in Santa Clara County, AACI empowers the Asian American community by working collaboratively for equality and social justice.
About Asian Health Services (AHS)
AHS’s mission is to serve and advocate for the Asian and Pacific Islander community by ensuring access to health care services regardless of income, insurance status, immigration status, language, or culture. Services are offered in English and eight Asian languages: Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, Lao, Mien, and Khmer.
AHS offers medical and dental services for all ages.
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