HIV/AIDS Care Integration

From 2014-2017, the proportion of new HIV diagnoses in Massachusetts that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health attributes to injection drug use exposures increased from 5 to 17 percent. Additional spikes are being investigated in Lowell, Lawrence, Boston, and Worcester.

This training introduces the history of HIV including stigma surrounding the epidemic, how HIV progresses and disrupts a healthy immune system, and how to support clients at risk of living with HIV/AIDS. To learn more about this training, review the agenda.

At the conclusion of the training, participants will be able to:

• Explain how HIV disrupts a healthy immune system
• Identify how HIV is transmitted
• Describe the disease progression of HIV & AIDS
• Identify the demographics of new HIV cases and factors that affect it
• Identify harm reduction strategies to reduce risk of HIV transmission
• Review the process and benefits of HIV testing
• Explain the treatment mechanism of HIV medications and the role they play in protecting the immune system and reducing transmission
• Employ key discussion points for educating clients on HIV & AIDS treatment and prevention