HIV Prevention and Education
NOTE: Glossary words are highlighted. Click on any glossary word to see its definition.
What are HIV prevention and education programs?
HIV prevention and education programs help reduce the number of new HIV infections by using outreach, counseling, awareness, and support services. Most prevention programs are for specific target groups, and focus on harm reduction strategies. Harm reduction strategies try to minimize the risks associated with activities that could lead to HIV infection. Harm reduction programs give at-risk people the information and tools they need to make healthier behavior choices.
Some prevention programs are for people living with HIV. These programs try to prevent transmission of the HIV virus to others, to protect against re-infection, and to encourage healthy living habits. Other programs are for at-risk non-HIV groups, or open to anyone.
Am I eligible?
Anyone interested in learning ways to prevent the spread of HIV can get free prevention and education services. There are many different types of HIV prevention and education programs for Massachusetts residents. An HIV counselor will help you find a program that meets your needs.
Eligibility for some programs is limited to specific target groups such as:
- women and their families
- high-risk men
- people living with HIV/AIDS
- inmates and ex-offenders
- at-risk teens
- IDUs and their partners
- African American and Latino adults
- Asian immigrants and refugees
- GLBT youth and adults
- sex workers
What services are available?
HIV prevention and education programs include:
- community and Internet outreach
- individual and group counseling
- peer discussions and workshops about sexual and drug use behaviors
- youth awareness sessions with HIV+ educators
- empowerment training
- HIV/AIDS hotlines and web sites
- health promotion and wellness activities
- condom distribution
- needle exchange programs
- HIV/AIDS awareness events
- information packets
- education classes
- referrals to support services
Note: If you have had a high-risk exposure to HIV, you can get PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) treatment to try to prevent infection. See What is PEP? below.
How much does it cost?
HIV prevention and education programs are free.
How do I apply?
Many HIV/AIDS agencies and community health centers throughout Massachusetts have HIV prevention and education programs.
For programs in the Greater Boston area, contact:
For prevention and education programs in other parts of Massachusetts:
- call any organization listed under HIV Case Management
- or call the statewide HIV Help hotline at 1-800-235-2331
What is PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis)?
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a treatment for people who have had a high risk exposure to HIV. PEP reduces the rate of infection in people exposed to HIV, but is not 100% effective. Some people who take PEP still get infected.
PEP is available for accidental work-related exposure to HIV, and for non-work-related high risk exposure to HIV. Non-work-related PEP treatment is often called nPEP.
PEP treatment involves taking several HIV medications several times a day for a month or more. The medications can have serious side effects that you should discuss with your doctor before starting treatment. PEP must begin as soon after exposure to HIV as possible, usually within 48 hours, but no later than 72 hours.
If you have had a recent high risk exposure to HIV, you should contact a hospital or health center that has been approved to administer HIV PEP. An HIV counselor will discuss your risk and options and help you decide if PEP is the right treatment for you.
PEP treatment can cost $500 to $1000 or more. If you have insurance, you should get treatment from your health care provider or hospital emergency room. If you do not have insurance coverage and are unable to pay, you should call one of the Massachusetts nPEP Programs listed in the Department of Public Health (DPH) HIV/AIDS Service and Resource Guide.
For more information about HIV PEP, see Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) on the DPH Office of HIV/AIDS web site, or call the DPH at 617-624-5300 (TTY: 617-624-5387).
Can I learn about HIV online?
Many government and non-profit HIV web sites offer fact sheets, articles, and other online information about HIV. These web sites include:
HIV Education Web Sites
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HIV Health Library
The HIV Health Library is an online library with links to hundreds of articles about HIV, infections, treatment, and ways to stay healthy. Users can browse by topic, or search for specific information. Also includes HIV/AIDS Basics. From the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts.
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HIV Prevention and Testing
The Body web site has fact sheets and an extensive collection of links to articles about HIV/AIDS basics, prevention, testing, treatment, living with HIV, and helping others with HIV. From The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource.
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AIDSInfoNet Fact Sheets
AIDSInfoNet has a wide range of single-topic fact sheets that are easy to read and updated regularly. Fact sheet topics include HIV/AIDS basics, prevention, testing, living with HIV, medications, opportunistic infections, and other HIV/AIDS related topics. From the New Mexico AIDS Information and Training Center.
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HIV/AIDS: Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse
The Clearinghouse has brochures, outreach materials, posters, and booklets about HIV basics, information for young people, getting tested, HIV and injection drug use, women and HIV, treatments, and living with HIV.
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AIDS.org: Information, Education, Action
AIDS.org has easy-to-read FAQs and fact sheets about HIV/AIDS basics, prevention, testing, and treatment, based on information from government, university, and other reliable sources.
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AIDSinfo
AIDSinfo offers federally approved information about HIV prevention, treatment guidelines, drugs, clinical trials, and other HIV-related health topics. From the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.
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