|  | Conditions Treatments | HIV AIDS

Support Groups for AIDS

Scientists detected the first case of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) in the United States in 1981. Over the years, as the stigma of the disease began to dissipate, national and local organizations formed to help people living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus ) and AIDS cope with emotional and medical issues related to the disease.

  1. Black AIDS Institute

    • The Black AIDS Institute is based in Los Angeles and dedicated to HIV/AIDS prevention, educational programming and support for African Americans, a population disproportionally affected by the disease. The organization provides programming in Southern California and nationwide. It enlists the help of prominent African American politicians and celebrities to reach the black community through teach-ins, a grassroots nationwide confidential testing campaign and AIDS-themed theater productions. It reaches young adults through a magazine written and produced by students at historically black colleges and universities.

      Black AIDS Institute
      1833 W. 8th St., Suite 200
      Los Angeles, CA 90057
      213-353-3610
      blackaids.org

    National AIDS Hotline

    • The National AIDS Hotline is managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish. Callers can get accurate information on the disease, prevention measures and other information from trained professionals.

      National AIDS Hotline
      1600 Clifton Road
      Atlanta, GA 30333
      800-232-4636
      cdc.gov

    Women Alive

    • Women Alive is a non-profit organization run by women living with HIV/AIDS. It is based in Los Angeles but provides outreach to women across the United States and in over 30 countries. It publishes a quarterly newsletter and distributes a free guide of women-specific HIV treatment information. Women Alive runs a toll-free hotline in English and Spanish for women to who need emotional support or medical information.

      Women Alive
      1566 Burnside Ave.
      Los Angeles, CA 90019
      800-554-4876
      women-alive.org

    The Osborne Association AIDS in Prison Program

    • The Osborne Association in New York City runs the AIDS in Prison Project hotline. The service offers information in English and Spanish. It has limited hours, Tuesday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. However, the hotline accepts collect calls from prisoners. Prisoners can request to have literature on HIV/AIDS sent to them free of charge. The organization also helps newly released ex-prisoners transition into society with services like substance abuse treatment, transition housing and job training.

      The Osborne Association
      AIDS in Prison Project
      809 Westchester Ave.
      Bronx, NY, 10455
      718-378-7022
      osborneny.org

HIV AIDS - Related Articles