TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluation of the Southern Harm Reduction Coalition for HIV Prevention
T2 - Advocacy Accomplishments
AU - Members of the Southern Harm Reduction Coalition
AU - Story, Chandra R.
AU - Kao, Wei Kang
AU - Currin, Joe
AU - Brown, Colton
AU - Charles, Vignetta
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Society for Public Health Education.
PY - 2018/9/1
Y1 - 2018/9/1
N2 - Background. HIV/AIDS rates are higher in the Southern United States compared to other regions of the country. Reasons for disparities include poverty, health care access, and racism. People who inject drugs (PWID) account for 8% of HIV/AIDS incidence rates. Harm reduction can connect PWID to needed resources. AIDS United Southern REACH grantees developed the Southern Harm Reduction Coalition (SHRC) as a means to decrease HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis rates, criminalization of drug users and sex workers, and drug overdose. Method. Investigators used an intrinsic case study design to examine the context of harm reduction in the Southern United States, successful strategies, and outcomes. Data collection included key informant interviews and coalition documents. The community coalition action theory was used to examine the data. Results. The SHRC initiated regional conferences and customized trainings. Strengths-based language and utilization of diverse strengths among coalition members were used to effect change. Coalition outcomes included syringe decriminalization legislation, syringe exchange, naloxone access, naloxone funding legislation, and 911 Good Samaritan laws, along with expanded support for PWID. Conclusions. Advocacy successes can be applied to similar organizations in the Southern United States to promote harm reduction and potentially decrease HIV/AIDS burden, viral hepatitis, criminalization, and overdose.
AB - Background. HIV/AIDS rates are higher in the Southern United States compared to other regions of the country. Reasons for disparities include poverty, health care access, and racism. People who inject drugs (PWID) account for 8% of HIV/AIDS incidence rates. Harm reduction can connect PWID to needed resources. AIDS United Southern REACH grantees developed the Southern Harm Reduction Coalition (SHRC) as a means to decrease HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis rates, criminalization of drug users and sex workers, and drug overdose. Method. Investigators used an intrinsic case study design to examine the context of harm reduction in the Southern United States, successful strategies, and outcomes. Data collection included key informant interviews and coalition documents. The community coalition action theory was used to examine the data. Results. The SHRC initiated regional conferences and customized trainings. Strengths-based language and utilization of diverse strengths among coalition members were used to effect change. Coalition outcomes included syringe decriminalization legislation, syringe exchange, naloxone access, naloxone funding legislation, and 911 Good Samaritan laws, along with expanded support for PWID. Conclusions. Advocacy successes can be applied to similar organizations in the Southern United States to promote harm reduction and potentially decrease HIV/AIDS burden, viral hepatitis, criminalization, and overdose.
KW - HIV/AIDS
KW - advocacy
KW - health disparities
KW - health promotion
KW - minority health
KW - program planning and evaluation
KW - public health laws/policies
KW - qualitative evaluation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85041303586&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1524839917742850
DO - 10.1177/1524839917742850
M3 - Article
C2 - 29186992
AN - SCOPUS:85041303586
SN - 1524-8399
VL - 19
SP - 695
EP - 703
JO - Health Promotion Practice
JF - Health Promotion Practice
IS - 5
ER -