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Life Foundation |
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| Phone: | (808) 521-2437 |
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| Fax: | (808) 521-1279 |
| E-mail: | cmakainai@lifefoundation.org |
| Title: | Health and HIV/AIDS in Native Hawaiian and Micronesian Communities |
| Project Director: | Carol Makainai |
| Target Population: | Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander |
| Health Issues: | HIV/AIDS |
| Age Group: | Adolescents, Adults |
| The purpose of the Health and HIV/AIDS in Native Hawaiian and Micronesian Communities project is to utilize effective HIV prevention interventions to reduce risk and transmission of HIV within the Native Hawaiian and Micronesian communities and link HIV positive individuals to care. The overall goal of the project is to improve the health status of Native Hawaiians and Micronesians through targeted HIV prevention and care services. The Life Foundation works collaboratively with Papa Ola Lokahi and the Waikiki Health Center to serve Native Hawaiian and Micronesian communities at risk for HIV and/or HIV positive on the island of Oahu.
The program provides comprehensive HIV prevention education, counseling and testing, and risk reduction workshops and seeks to decrease the risk of HIV transmission through a harm reduction model. Trained peer prevention outreach workers provide education to community members on HIV prevention and risk reduction. Outreach contacts are conducted at bars, clubs, and parks where members of the target population congregate. The outreach workers also provide HIV prevention counseling, and testing and referral services, as well as distribute safer sex kits. Outreach is targeted to rural and remote areas of the island to reach economically and educationally disadvantaged Native Hawaiians. Outreach efforts also target the growing Micronesian immigrant population on Oahu. Case managers work one-on-one with HIV positive individuals providing counseling and emotional support. The case manager conducts a comprehensive assessment of each participant’s needs and coordinates health care planning, referrals and follow-up. Participants are provided with support, assessment, referrals, care planning, and advocacy to maximize the health and quality of the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS. HIV positive individuals are linked to crisis intervention/management, medical care, traditional healing practices, and other social services as needed. The coalition ensures linkages and access to care regardless of ability to pay.
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