HIV/AIDS Prevention & Education

Here are the facts:

• There is still no cure for HIV/AIDS
• HIV disproportionately affects minorities
• Heterosexuals now make up the majority of new HIV cases
• African American women make up 75% of all new HIV cases in this region

Since 1996, Maternity Care Coalition has been on the frontline of the fight against HIV and AIDS.  MCC provides culturally sensitive HIV prevention and education, helping high risk women and their families know how to:

• Lower the risk of contracting or spreading HIV
• Ensure that their pregnancy and postpartum periods are healthy
• Access the knowledge, skills and resources they need

HIV/AIDS Minority Community Partnership

The Maternity Care Coalition (MCC) has partnered with two agencies to address HIV/AIDS in the community in new and innovative ways. In collaboration with Drexel University College of Medicine's Partnership Comprehensive Care Practice (PCCP) and Neighbor to Neighbor Community Development Corporation , Inc. of the First African Baptist Church of Sharon Hill, PA, MCC is providing HIV counseling, education, and testing.

This partnership addresses barriers that previously prevented individuals from obtaining an HIV test and learning their HIV status. Through this partnership, pregnant women, new mothers and their family members are now able to receive rapid HIV testing and counseling, with results in 20 minutes, in their own homes. HIV testing/counseling is combined with skills training essential for individuals to stop the spread of HIV. Advocates work with clients to increase knowledge and change behavior through risk reduction planning, condom demonstrations and sexual negotiation and communication skill building.

In order to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among people of color, HIV/AIDS services are being offered in partnership with a trusted community of faith. Workshops are being offered at the First African Baptist Church for adults and teenagers.

An extraordinarily successful event was held on Sunday, February 10, 2008 immediately following church services and a call to action from church leaders. Over 145 individuals were tested.