ABSTRACT
This article describes expansion of options for safe syringe collection in New York State (NYS) in conjunction with efforts to enhance and expand access to hypodermic needles and syringes. Together with activities to educate the public and providers about the dangers of improperly disposed of syringes, the goals were to (1) develop community-based collection sites for individuals to safely dispose of used syringes and (2) improve accessibility of existing health-care facility-based collection sites. During the period of 2002 to 2006, 79 community-based collection sites were created. These sites collected an estimated 2.6 million used syringes during 2006. Significant increases in availability and use of health-care facility-based collection sites was also documented. Efforts to promote safe disposal in NYS are ongoing, informed by these findings.
Subject(s)
Medical Waste Disposal/methods , Safety Management/organization & administration , Syringes , Communicable Diseases/transmission , Community Participation , Health Care Surveys , Health Facilities/supply & distribution , Humans , Needle-Exchange Programs , New YorkABSTRACT
In the United States, racial/ethnic health disparities persist across all leading health indicators. In 2005, African Americans accounted for half of all HIV/AIDS cases, but only 12 percent of the US population was African American. Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute recognized the importance of faith communities' involvement in HIV prevention. A survey assessed faith community involvement in HIV prevention, identified barriers to involvement, and determined willingness to partner with HIV prevention programs. Although less than 25 percent of respondents reported involvement in HIV prevention, 50 percent were willing to meet with service providers. Those willing to meet included 74 percent of faith leaders with primarily African American congregants. On the basis of the survey and subsequent forums, a statewide initiative was created to involve faith communities in HIV prevention. An assessment of the statewide initiative showed that it has been highly effective in engaging faith community involvement, including a large number of African American faith communities. These findings have implications for future programming and can aid to further strengthen the statewide initiative.
