AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
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Founded in 1983, AIDS Action Committee (AAC) of Massachusetts is a not-for-profit, community-based health organization whose mission is to stop the HIV/AIDS epidemic by preventing new infections and optimizing the health of those already infected.
AIDS Action accomplishes that mission by providing free, confidential services to more than 2,500 men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS as well as prevention services to thousands of men, women and youth who are not living with HIV or do not know their status.
AAC also provides free confidential HIV rapid testing at its MALE Center in Boston’s South End and free confidential services to men and women already living with HIV/AIDS, as well as conducts extensive educational and prevention outreach to those at risk of infection. AAC runs the only statewide AIDS Hotline (1.800.235.2331), Hepatitis Hotline (1.888.443.4372) and Pharmacy Access Hotline (1.800.988.5209). AAC also advocates for effective science-based prevention programs. More information is available at www.aac.org [1]
[edit] Hotline
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts HIV and Hepatitis Hotlines
The AIDS Action Committee houses two state-wide Hotlines. The first is the HIV/AIDS Hotline, and the second is the Hepatitis Hotline. Both Hotlines are open Monday-Thursday, 9:00am - 9:00pm, and Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 7:30p.m. Highly trained Hotline volunteers compassionately respond to callers with regard to a myriad of issues. Hotline volunteers can be reached by phone or by email.
HIV Hotline Calls:
Hotline counselors speak to callers who have questions about or who are struggling with issues of safer sex, transmission, testing, drug use, taking medications, or caring for someone with HIV, as well as a host of other HIV or AIDS related concerns.
Hepatitis Hotline Calls:
Hotline counselors speak to callers who have many questions or concerns about viral hepatitis transmission and prevention, disease progression, health care, treatment options, alternative therapies, drug and alcohol use, and a host of other hepatitis related concerns.
Email:
Hotline counselors respond to email questions and requests for information concerning HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis, STDs, safer sex, tranmission, testing, drug use, medication information, caring for someone with HIV, or any number of issues related to HIV/AIDS. All Email inquires are confidential. Send Email to: Hotline@aac.org
Referrals:
Hotline volunteers are familiar with, and have quick access to, thousands of up-to-date local and national resources and make appropriate referrals as needed. Many HIV Hotline calls include referrals to HIV testing sites, AIDS service and human service agencies, information or treatment hotlines, legal, financial, addiction, domestic violence, STD, physical or mental health care, and GLBT services. Hepatitis calls often include referrals to health care, support groups, addiction services, or other sources of information. Hotline Counselors often make internal referrals as well. Hotline counselors can help HIV+ callers become connected with Client Services Department programs such as case management; and legal, financial, housing, or transportation assistance. They can also help connect HIV+ or at-risk callers to Prevention and Education Department programs such as Peer Action, a one-on-one risk reduction counseling program.
To Reach the Hotlines:
HIV Toll-Free Phone: 800-235-2331 HIV Local Phone: 617-536-7733 HIV TTY: 617-437-1672 Online: www.aac.org/hotline [2]
Hepatitis Toll-Free Phone: 888-443-4372 Hepatitis TTY: 617-437-1672 Online: www.aac.org/hotline [3]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
Historical Records of the AIDS Action Committee are available in the Archives and Special Collections of the Northeastern University Libraries in Boston, MA.
