Department of State Visitors - HIV/AIDS

Despite being a mid-sized city without a strong community movement promoting HIV/AIDS treatment, Rochester has exceptional research, drug testing, care and prevention programs. We can serve as a valuable source to visitors concerned with the worldwide AIDS epidemic who are from countries that may assign a low priority to treatment and prevention, whether due to lack of resources and/or concern.
National level research and testing is being conducted at Strong Memorial Hospital (SMH), a nationally designated AIDS center. SMH was involved in the studies that discovered the efficacy of early treatment with combination drugs, and continues to test leading-edge drugs.

There are 95 agencies in the Rochester area involved in HIV/AIDS research, drug testing, treatment, comprehensive care, counselling, education and prevention. The Rochester Area Task Force on AIDS is the designated Ryan White HIV CARE Network for the Rochester region. It oversees the programs of the above agencies to avoid duplication and fill gaps in coverage.

Services Available

Case management is available in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. Case managers advocate for clients with government agencies, legal systems, and insurance companies. They assist with appeals and teach clients to be full partners in their health care.

Support groups and mental health services are available for people with HIV/AIDS, their families and significant others, without regard to their ability to pay.

Free legal assistance is available for immigration issues, power of attorney, health care proxy, bankruptcy and other noncriminal legal issues.

Emergency food is provided from the Food Cupboard. Sunday dinner is served to people with AIDS and their families.

Transportation needs are met through bus tokens and passes, cab service, and rides from agency staff, interns and volunteers. Clients in outlying areas can receive funds for car repair, gas and insurance.

Financial assistance programs ensure that clients are provided the most effective medication regardless of their financial resources. Other programs are designed to provide financial assistance to help clients with emergency needs such as telephone installation, prevention of utility shut off, medication, nutritional supplements, and personal care supplies.

Prevention and teen peer education programs, street outreach, needle exchange, a speaker’s bureau, and numerous confidential testing sites complete the comprehensive HIV/AIDS services available in Rochester.

Rochester International Council
Morey Hall, Room 229, University of Rochester Rochester, NY 14627 USA
phone (585) 275-8779 fax (585) 756-8086 e-mail: jw@rifc.org
Office Hours: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday,
closed Thursday