New England Public Radio

Efforts to prevent the spread of HIV among Latinos in our region seem to be failing. The rate of new infections has remained steady and those who treat HIV patients think they’re only catching a minority of the actual cases. Part One of Voices of HIV looks at the challenges facing prevention and tells the story of one woman whose personal tragedy spurred her to join the fight to prevent HIV. Voices of HIV Webpage

In the Latino communities of Holyoke and Springfield, HIV is increasingly striking women. In those cities, women comprise up to half of those infected with HIV. Overall in Massachusetts, Latina women are seventeen times more likely to get infected than their white counterparts. Part Two of Voices of HIV examines why Latina women are more at risk, and reports on one woman’s story. Voices of HIV Webpage

In the fight against HIV, needle exchange programs have been proposed as one means of preventing the virus from spreading. But they can be controversial. Part Three of Voices of HIV reports on Hartford’s innovative needle exchange program. It also looks at the controversy surrounding needle exchange in Springfield, Massachusetts. Voices of HIV Webpage

Each year, some 5000 inmates pass through the gates of the Hampden County Correctional Facility, a medium security jail in Ludlow, Massachusetts. Many are at high risk for infectious diseases like HIV and of bringing them to the jail or back home when they get out. Part Four of Voices of HIV reports on the jail’s innovative program that aims to safeguard both inmates and the rest of the community. Voices of HIV Webpage

HIV infection rates among Latino teens in Holyoke are almost three times higher than the average for other teens in the state. Part Five of Voices of HIV reports on how HIV is affecting Latino youth in that city and what they are doing about it. Voices of HIV Webpage