Services and Resources for People Living with HIV/AIDS in the Southcoast of Massachusetts: Cant Get There From Here
Abstract
Caitlin M. Stover, Margaret Drew, and Jason Potter Burda
Fall River and New Bedford, two diverse and economically challenged cities in the Southcoast region of Massachusetts, are areas of substantial concern in the effort to reduce HIV incidence and to provide effective services for people living with HIV/AIDS in the Commonwealth. In these two communities, HIV disparately impacts marginalized populations, with particularly high infection and prevalence rates among men who have sex with men and injection drug users in comparison to other Massachusetts localities. This project used communityengaged research principles to conduct a community assessment guided by the social determinants of health. The primary goal of this study was to identify the gaps in resources and services and highlight challenges and barriers to treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS in Fall River and New Bedford, Massachusetts. Transportation was a major barrier in not accessing available community services and resources