The Albany Tiimes Union published on article today (January 29,2010) on the official launch of Cathloic Charities Project Safe Point.

To read the article click here

Project Safe Point attacks spread of blood borne diseases

(Albany, N.Y. – January 29, 2010) – Since 1994, Catholic Charities AIDS Services has been providing support to individuals with HIV/AIDS and their families. In addition to HIV prevention services Catholic Charities AIDS Services provides direction and assistance concerning medical care, housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment, public benefits and other available options to its clients.

It is well documented that injection drug use plays a key role in the spread of HIV, Hepatitis and other blood borne diseases. Catholic Charities AIDS Services will launch a new service of Project Safe Point designed to address this situation and increase community safety. This initiative is a key component of our ongoing mission to move a marginalized, invisible population within range of supportive programs, education and other essential services.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is actively investigating isolated human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) in several states (CA, TX, OH, KS, NY) and is continuously updating investigation information.  Information on swine flu can be found at the following sites:

• General information( http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/investigation.htm )
• CDC Health Advisory( http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/pdf/HAN_042509.pdf )
• CDC Travel Health Precaution for Mexico (http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx ) were issued Sunday. 
• www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/influenza/seasonanl/swine_flu/swine_

As of this date, the U.S. cases of this virus have been mild and treatable.  We are fortunate to be affiliated with St. Peter’s Hospital and are maintaining contact for any relevant updates. 

On April 7, 2009 White House officials teamed up with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to announce a new national domestic HIV/AIDS campaign called Act Against AIDS. This is a campaign we feel you should be aware of.

Act Against AIDS

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) in its study “Estimates of New HIV Infections in the United States, August 2008,” shows that the domestic HIV epidemic is far from over and is worse than previously known. The studies data confirms that the most severe impact is among gay and bisexual men of all races and African American men and women, in particular.

Harm Reduction is anything that reduces the risk of injury whether or not the individual is able to abstain from the risky behavior. Inherently, it is a staged form of behavioral change, which is consistent with all the prevalent models of sexual and drug use behavior change and all the models of behavior change in these areas that have been shown to have some benefit.
--- David Ostrow, M.D., Ph.D.

Harm reduction philosophy in principle, aims to do exactly that: Reduce Harm. Although harm reduction practice can take many forms, all models accept that there are certain behaviors which people will always engage in for a variety of reasons. Harm Reduction interventions allow that these behaviors will take place and aim to minimize or in some cases eliminate the risks that these behaviors may pose to the individual, their loved ones, the community and society.

Are you or someone you know in need of Clean, Sterile Needles and Syringes?

Then Project Safe Point maybe for you.

These days it seems like there is a chain pharmacy or “big box” store on every corner. The privately owned, neighborhood pharmacy of the past has become just that - a thing of the past.

Town Total Health, however, has proven that personal attention, specialty services and community support still mean something to many people. Since 2004, Town Total Health has been providing these important elements to Albany, the surrounding communities, and beyond.

Nearly 75 baskets and packages were available for raffle and silent auction bidding at the Celebrate the Harvest event. All items were generously donated by the following businesses or individuals. We applaud their generosity to our event which assists our ability to serve individuals with HIV/AIDS and their families. Those contributing:

Catholic Charities AIDS Services has kicked off its Annual Appeal in conjunction with the recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1.

World AIDS Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. AIDS has killed more than 25 million people, with an estimated 38.6 million people living with HIV, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. New Center for Disease Control estimates indicate that the numbers of new infections are up to 40 percent higher than previously believed in the United States.

Catholic Charities AIDS Services held its 6th Annual Celebrate the Harvest event on Thursday, October 9. This year’s event was held again at the Albany Country Club.