Prevention and Education / HIV Counseling and Testing
The main goal of the Community Health Initiative (CHI) Unit is to promote healthy lifestyles among members of the Latin American community in Massachusetts. The Unit offers the following programs and services:
HIV/AIDS Prevention
HIV/AIDS Prevention Case Management for Latino IDUs
This HIV/AIDS prevention program is designed to address the specific needs of Latino Intravenous Drug Users and their partners. The program meets the clients where they are and supports them in their efforts to adopt and maintain safer drug use and sexual behaviors.
HIV Prevention and Education for Latino Men who have Sex with Men (MSM)
This program aims at reducing the number of new HIV/STI and hepatitis infections among men who have sex with other men and who practice behaviors that puts them at high risk for HIV infection.
Many Men Many Voices
Educational groups in Spanish and Individual risk reduction and referrals to Latino MSMs.
Progreso
Educational groups to peers and education through role model stories.
New Champions
Educational groups and peer support through reduction and awarness of crystal meth use among Latino MSM in the Boston area
Proyecto Infórmate
This program provides culturally competent and linguistically appropriate HIV counseling, rapid testing (UNIGOLD®) and referral services to the Latin American community. Our staff includes bilingual (English & Spanish) counselors. All services are free and confidential.
Positive Prevention for Latinos Living with HIV (Un Cambio Positivo)
The goal of this program is to promote healthier lifestyles among HIV+ Latinos and to reduce new HIV infections , by providing specific prevention and education services to address their needs. The priority populations of this program are Latino men, women and youth living with HIV more than one year.
Latino HIV Vaccine Awareness Campaign:
This program helps increase awareness about HIV vaccine research in the Latino and other communities of color in the Boston area and change attitudes about research so that communities of color in Boston become supportive of and receptive to it. For more information http://bethegeneration.nih.gov/
Women's Health Programs
Latina Breast Health Education Programs 
This program targets low-income and uninsured Latina women over the age of 40 living in the greater Boston area, and women under 40 with a history of breast cancer risk. The program offers small group cancer education activities (charlas) that promote awareness of breast cancer and early detection. In addition, program staff links participants to screening services and provides client advocacy, interpreter services and support throughout the process of assessment, referral and follow-up. The Latina Breast Health Education Program is
funded by the Susan G. Komen Foundation http://www.komenmass.org/
Comadres
The Comadres program focuses on providing culturally and linguistically appropriate information and case management services to pregnant and post-partum Latina women in order to reduce infant mortality and promote health in the Latino community.
Emerging Diseases
This program reduces the risk of infectious diseases such as West Nile Virus, H1N1 Virus, hepatitis A, and other emerging health threats to Boston residents. Program activities include assessments in neighborhoods with a large number of Latino residents, outreach and education on emerging diseases and emergency prepardnes , in Spanish.
Other Programs
Train the Trainer Program
This program helps Community Health Workers develop the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality education sessions in the Latino community, men and women. Training activities in Spanish address topics of breast and cervical health, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer and cardiovascular health.
Consejos de Salud
This weekly Spanish-language TV program invites guests to describe services available to Latin American community in the Boston metropolitan area. It is broadcast live every Tuesday from 5 to 5:30 PM on BNN local cable TV (Channel 9).