Evidence has linked long-term HIV-related stigma against Haitian-American women with a deep impact on psychological development, particularly on self-esteem, self-doubt, and acceptance both within the Haitian community and broader society. (Santana, 2000)

Bienestar Human Services

Bienestar

Bienestar Human Services, Inc. (Bienestar) was founded in 1989 as an organization that focused primarily on the HIV/AIDS service needs of Latinos in Southern California. Today, Bienestar is the leading community provider of a plethora of HIV/AIDS prevention and supportive services for Latinos in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and San Diego, California.

With funding from AED, Bienestar developed a program (En Acción) to address HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination that exists within Latino communities. En Acción had three core components:

  1. Creating “Agents of Change” to increase the visibility of people who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS;
  2. Creating a local social marketing campaign targeted toward the Spanish language media in Southern California; and
  3. Conducting educational presentations and forums to educate community members and public policy officials of the pre-existing negative assumptions, beliefs, and prejudices that contribute to HIV/AIDS stigma.

More details on the outcomes of this project, under the first phase of the National HIV/AIDS Anti-stigma Initiative, will be posted shortly.

Posted 27/06/08:
AED's new fact sheet is now available on the home page!

Posted 21/05/08:
New HIV/AIDS-related stigma Literature Review available. Please visit the Resource section to download the document.