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Womenshealth.gov is a service of the Office on Women’s Health (OWH) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. OWH's mission is to provide leadership to promote health equity for women and girls through sex/gender-specific approaches. The strategy OWH uses to achieve its mission and vision is developing innovative programs, educating health professionals, and motivating behavior change in consumers through the dissemination of health information.

Women represent a growing number of individuals living with AIDS in the United States. In 2005, women accounted for 26 percent of all AIDS cases reported. Women of color are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. African American women represented 64 percent of women living with HIV/AIDS in 2005, while Latinas accounted for 15 percent of women living with HIV/AIDS. Consequently, HIV/AIDS continues to be one of the leading causes of death for women aged 25-44. In 2004, HIV/AIDS was the leading cause of death for African American women aged 23-34 years.

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Events

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – March 10

Team Leader: Mary Bowers, MSW, Senior Public Health Advisor

This initiative is the launch of an annual: National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day beginning in March 10, 2006 and each year thereafter. The intent is to raise awareness in all sectors of the U.S. of the increasing burden of HIV disease on U.S. women and girls, particularly, but also on women worldwide. In addition, the observance provides an opportunity to discuss and explore the social context of women's lives and those risks and vulnerabilities which are gender specific to women and girls. Also, the observance is a tool to promote discussion, information sharing and the opportunity to provide the facts on how to prevent infection as well as how to live with the disease. The proposed day focusing on women and girls would be patterned after other awareness observances.

For more information, visit www.womenshealth.gov/hiv/NWGHAAD.

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Programs

HIV Team Leader: Mary Bowers, MSW, Senior Public Health Advisor

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2009 HIV/AIDS-Related Services for Survivors of Domestic Violence

Team Leader: Aleisha Langhorne, MPH, MHSA, Health Scientist

Under this project, organizations will develop and implement programs to address the intersection between domestic violence and the increased risk for contracting HIV/AIDS. The project will primarily target female survivors/victims of domestic violence. It is designed to train domestic violence counselors to incorporate HIV/AIDS risk reduction strategies in to their service delivery. This year the project includes a cross-training component for HIV/AIDS service providers. The organizations providing services under this project title are:

  • ENSYNC Diversified Management Services, Inc.
    Christine McMillon
    225 Waymont Court - Suite 111
    Lake Mary, FL 32746
    E-mail: ensyncdms@aol.com

  • Messages of Empowerment Productions
    Quinn M. Gentry
    280 Highland Lake Trace
    Atlanta, GA 30349-3916
    E-mail: QuinnGP@aol.com

  • Susan B. Spencer, Inc
    Susan B. Spencer
    8016 Flourtown Avenue
    Wyndmoor, PA 19038-7920
    Email: sbspencer@comcast.net

  • The Wright Group
    Amelia J. Cobb
    1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW - Suite 600
    Washington, DC 20004
    E-mail: acobb@twgstrategies.com
    http://www.twgstrategies.com

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2009 HIV Prevention for Female Adolescents/Youth at Greater Risk for Juvenile Delinquency Project (Girls at Greater Risk)

Team Leader: Aleisha Langhorne, MPH, MHSA, Health Scientist

This initiative is a gender-specific prevention education project focused on HIV/AIDS/STDs and juvenile delinquency for at-risk female adolescents/youths aged 9-16. This project specifically focuses on the intersection between sexually risky and juvenile delinquent behavior among female adolescents/youths. This project is evaluation intensive and will focus on building capacity within communities to service the needs of female adolescents/youths that are at-risk for HIV/STDs and juvenile delinquency. This project focuses on identifying and addressing the social and economic threats which contribute to the participation of female adolescents/youths in sexually risky and delinquent behavior. It also focuses on building self-esteem and educating them on how to cope with adverse situations. This year all organizations will expand their focus to address issues related to the mental health and well-being of their young participants and provide supplement services to past program participants. The organizations providing services under this project title are:

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HIV/AIDS Prevention for Women Living in the Rural South

Team Leader: Mary Bowers, MSW, Senior Public Health Advisor

Gender specific demonstration projects to provide accurate and comprehensive HIV prevention education that addresses false information, stigma, self-protection behaviors and denial.

  • Columbus Wellness Center Outreach and Prevention Project
    1220 Wildwood Avenue
    Columbus, Muscogee County, GA 31906
    Luella L. Rhodes, PA – Executive Director
    E-mail: luellarhodes@bellsouth.net

  • HEROES
    P.O. Box 1259
    Columbia, LA 71478
    Monica Johnson, Executive Director
    E-mail: avemon@aol.com

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HIV Prevention and Support Services for Women Partners of Incarcerated/Recently Released Males

Team Leader: Mary Bowers, MSW, Senior Public Health Advisor

Gender specific demonstration projects for HIV/AIDS continuum of care and prevention services for incarcerated and newly-released women disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS.

  • The Regents of the University of California San Francisco
    Office of Sponsored Research
    San Francisco, CA 94118
    Dr. Megan Mahoney, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor
    E-mail: mmahoney@fcm.ucsf.edu

  • The Osborne Association
    809 Westchester Avenue
    Bronx, New York 10455
    Elizabeth Gaynes, Executive Director
    E-mail: egaynes@osborneny.org
    Jacqueline Payne, Quality Assurance & Contract Manager
    E-mail: jpayne@osborneny.org
    Marcella Tillett, Project Coordinator
    E-mail: mtillett@osborneny.org
    Dicxon Valderruten, Progam Director
    E-mail: dvalderruten@osborneny.org
  • Metropolitan Charities,Inc.
    3170 3rd Avenue North
    St. Petersburg, FL 33713
    Lynne Mullen, Grant Writer
    E-mail: LynneM@metrocharities.org
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HIV Prevention for Women Living in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Team Leader: Mary Bowers, MSW, Senior Public Health Advisor

Gender specific prevention education project providing accurate and comprehensive information on HIV/AIDS prevention and healthy behaviors for women living in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

  • Helping Others in a Positive Environment (HOPE), Inc
    The Professional Building, Suite #23
    #1 Forts Strade
    St. Thomas, Virgin islands, USA 00802
    Ivy Moses, Program Director
    E-mail: imoses@hopeincvi.org
    Marcia Gordon, Program Coordinator

  • Per Ankh, Inc.
    P.O. Box 607
    Kingshill,
    St. Croix, Virgin Islands, USA 00851-0607
    Dr. Chenzira D. Kahina, Managing Director
    E-mail: perankh@gmail.com

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HIV Prevention for Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Puerto Rico

Team Leader: Mary Bowers, MSW, Senior Public Health Advisor

Gender specific prevention education projects targeting women living with HIV/AIDS to increase access to care, to increase knowledge of protective behaviors, and to reduce isolation of women living with HIV infection.

  • Iniciativa Communitaria de Investigacion, Inc.
    Calle Quisqueya #61 Esq, Chile
    San Juan, PR 00918
    Juan C. Espinosa Charriez, Prevention Director
    E-mail: espinosa_charriez@yahoo.com
    Glenda Davila, MD

  • Concilio de Salud Integral de Loiza, Inc.
    Apartado 509
    Carretera#188 Int.#187
    P.O. Box 509
    Loiza, PR 00772
    Maria Rodriquez, MD – Medical Officer
    E-mail: csiloi@prtc.net, csiloi3@coqui.net

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HIV Prevention Program for Young Women Attending Minority Institutions

Team Leader: Mary Bowers, MSW, Senior Public Health Advisor

Gender specific prevention projects targeting college age minority women to increase their knowledge and self protective behaviors for preventing HIV/AIDS and other STDs; interventions include understanding how the female body works in relation to their increased vulnerability for acquiring HIV/AIDS; practicing the ABC - Abstinence, Being Faithful, Condoms, etc.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities:

  • Edward Waters College
    1658 Kings Road
    Jacksonville, FL
    Karen Buckman, PhD, Vice President Student Affairs
    E-mail: kbuckman@ewc.edu

  • North Carolina Central University
    O.R.A.N.E. (Office for Research and Empowerment)
    112 Lakeshore Drive
    Durham, NC 27713
    Danielle Juliette Laborde, PhD, Project Director
    E-mail: laborded@earthlink.net
    Laverne Reid, PhD, NCCU, Chair, Health Education
    E-mail: lreid@wpo.nccu.edu

  • Norfolk State University
    Health Science
    700 Park Avenue
    Norfolk, VA 23504-8060
    Sheila Antoinette Ward, PhD
    E-mail: sward@nsu.edu

Hispanic Serving Institutions:

  • Florida International University
    HLS 461A, 11200 SW 8th Street
    CHUA
    Miami, FL 33199
    Sande Gracia Jones, PhD, Program Director
    E-mail: Sandejones@aol.com

  • New Jersey City University
    National Latina Health Network
    2201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, DC 20007
    Elena M. Alvarado, Executive Director
    E-mail: Elena.alvarado@nlhn.net
    Patricia Teffenhart-Maikos, Associate Director of Regional Programs
    E-mail: p.teffenhartmaikos@nlhn.net
    75 Paterson Street
    2nd Floor, Suite 10
    New Brunswick, NJ 08901
    Cynthia Vasquez, Campus Coordinator
    E-mail: cvazquez@njcu.edu

Tribal Colleges and Universities:

  • Salish Kootenai College – Nursing Department
    P.O. Box 70
    Pablo, MT 599855
    Niki Graham, HIV/AIDS Programs Coordinator
    E-mail: Niki_Graham@skc.edu

  • First Nations Health Source
    Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
    56 08 Zuni Road, SE
    Albuquerque, NM 87108
    Linda Son-Stone, Executive Director
    E-mail: Linda.son-stone@ihs.gov

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In Community Spirit - HIV Prevention for Native Women Living in Rural and Frontier Indian Country

Team Leader: Mary Bowers, MSW, Senior Public Health Advisor

Gender specific prevention education integrating the strengths of traditions, values, culture and spirituality indigenous to the targeted communities.

  • Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
    4000 Ambassador Drive
    Anchorage, Alaska 99508
    Jessica Leston, Program Manager
    E-mail: jdleston@anthc.org

  • National Indian Women’s Health Resource Center
    228 South Muskogee Avenue
    Tahlequah, OK 74464
    Pamela E. Iron, Executive director
    Email: peiron@niwhrc.org

  • Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc.
    2214 N. Central Avenue, suite 100
    Phoenix, Arizona 85004
    Gwenda Gorman, Health Promotions Program director
    E-mail: Gwenda.gorman@itcaonline.com

  • Salish Kootenai College- Nursing Dept.
    58138 US Hwy 93
    P. O. Box 70
    Pablo, Montana 59855
    Niki Graham, Programs Director
    E-mail: Niki_graham@skc.edu

  • Planned Parenthood of Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota
    1965 Ford Parkway
    Saint Paul, Minnesota 55116-1923
    Kim Rossow, Director of Education and Outreach
    E-mail: krossow@ppmns.org

  • National Native American AIDS Prevention Center
    720 S. Colorado Blvd., suite 650-S
    Denver, Colorado 80246
    Robert Foley, Acting, Executive Director
    E-mail: rfoley@nnaapc.org

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Intergenerational Approaches to HIV/AIDS Prevention Education for Women Across The Lifespan Pilot Program

Team Leader: Joanna Short, M.Div., Public Health Advisor

Purpose: Reduce the incidence of minority adolescents and adults tested positive for HIV/AIDS by reaching two generations of minority females.

Goals:

  1. Adapts a CDC evidence-based HIV/AIDS prevention education program.
  2. Develops and pilots cross-generational approaches to STD and HIV/AIDS prevention education specifically to meet the needs of minority female adolescents and adults (mothers, grandmothers, aunts, older sitters, etc.)
  3. Develop strategies built upon caring, trusting familial relationships are the bridge linking educational and counseling approaches.
  4. Offer participants multiple opportunities to get tested for HIV/AIDS.
  5. Learn and practice effective communication between parent and adolescent.
  6. Access services of a female behavioral health therapist.
  7. Learn how to access local health care providers.

2008 Funded Agencies:

  • The Women's Collective - Washington, DC
  • The Curators of the University of Missouri - St. Louis, MO
  • Indian Women's Health Recourse Center, Tahlequah, OK
  • Susan Wesley Family Learning Center, East Prairie, MO
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Prevention and Support Services for Women Incarcerated or Newly Released Living with or at Risk for HIV/AIDS

Team Leader: Mary Bowers, MSW, Senior Public Health Advisor

Gender specific demonstration projects for HIV/AIDS continuum of care and prevention services for incarcerated and newly-released women disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS.

  • AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc.
    3202 Weslayan Annex
    Houston, Harris Co., TX 77027
    Maxine Young, Case Manager
    E-mail: youngm@afhouston.org
    Nike Lukan, VP of Prevention Services
    E-mail: lukann@afhouston.org
  • Women Accepting Responsibility
    2200 Garrison Boulevard, Ste 302
    Baltimore, Maryland 21216
    Bernice Tucker, CAC
    Executive Director
    E-mail: Bgt5161@msn.com
  • Greenhope Services for Women, Inc.
    23 West 123rd Street
    New York, NY 10027
    Chantay Jones
    Catherine Poku
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Straight Talk on Preventing HIV

Team Leader: Joanna Short, M.Div., Public Health Advisor

The Straight Talk on Preventing HIV Program (multi-year for 3 years) will develop gender and age-specific, culturally and linguistically-appropriate HIV/AIDS prevention education to reach at-risk racial/ethic minorities specifically African American, Latina/Hispanic, and Native American females ages 12 – 18 and female adults in the family. Mother, grandmothers, and other female members of the family (such as cousins, kinship network members) will become educated on how to demonstrate their love and support for their teenagers by learning healthy communication skills specifically around physical heath, emotional health, and sexual health. HIV/AIDS prevention and threading life experiences, such as intimate partner violence and drug use, to name a few. With the use of behavioral health therapists, health educators, and art therapists, participates will be given multiple outlets to recognize their at-risk behavior, get tested for HIV, develop regular appointments with the behavior health therapist to receive counseling and strategize how best to change at-risk behaviors. With the demonstration of love and caring expressed through healthy communication skills about sexual health, teenagers will use the support of other female family members as a catalyst to get tested for HIV and change their at-risk behavior. As well, participants will learn to include physician’s visits as a regular part of their healthcare.

  • National Indian Women’s Health Resource Center
    228 S. Muskogee Avenue
    Tahelquah, OK 74464-3836
    Pamela E. Iron, Executive Director

  • Union Temple Baptist Church
    1225 W Street, SE
    Washington, DC 20020-5775
    Mary L. Wilson, Church Administrator

  • National Black Women’s Health Project
    1726 M Street, NW
    Washington, DC 20036-4502
    Eleanor Hinton Hoytt, President and CEO

  • Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center
    207 N. Washington Street
    East Prairie, MO 63845-1141
    Dr. Martha Ellen Black, Executive Director

  • California State University Long Beach Foundation
    6300 State University Drive
    Long Beach, CA 90815-4670
    Denise Bell, Director

  • Community Health Interventions
    2409 Murchison Road
    Fayetteville, NC 28301-3519
    Mary McAllister, Executive Director
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Content last updated April 15, 2010.

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