26 Resources for HIV/AIDS Support

For people who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, the right information and support can improve both the length and quality of life. Their loved ones, their caretakers, and healthcare workers in the field also depend on quality information and support. The best resources provide education, offer access to the helpful organizations, and relentlessly advocate for change.

Part of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Ryan White & Global HIV/AIDS Programs offer critical support and primary medical services to patients who don't have insurance or who are underinsured. The program serves more than 1 million people every year.

Services provided by AAHIVM are designed to support and enhance professional HIV healthcare providers and caregivers. The organization provides credentialing, resources, and information.

The HRSA maintains a state-by-state directory of hotlines, helplines, medical service lines, counseling hotlines and information lines. No matter where you live in the country, this database is a good place to start looking for local and regional HIV/AIDS resources.

TheBody.com offers resources and information for those who were recently diagnosed, who are wondering how to start treatment, or those who are looking for financial assistance or medical services. The site also maintains a blog, provides legal information and categorizes resources by target demographics, such as gay men, the elderly, or African-Americans.

The AIDS Institute concentrates its mission on three focus areas: older Americans who were age 50 or above when they were initially diagnosed, grandparents who are the primary caregivers of children who lost their parents to the illness, and the promotion of preventive measures, particularly among baby boomers.

The stated mission of AIDS United is to "end the AIDS epidemic in the United States." The tools the organization uses to work toward that mission include policy and advocacy, strategic grantmaking, research, and technical assistance. The organization's grantmaking portfolio can be traced to the start of the National AIDS Fund in 1988.

The mission of HIV.gov is to relay federal HIV/AIDS resources, programs, and policies to the public. The government site also works to provide information to at-risk groups and to improve the use of digital media to provide broader access to federal programs and resources.

Founded in 1985, amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS research, is one of the pioneering organizations dedicated to the illness. The international non-profit group has contributed more than $450 million to vaccines, new treatments, clinical studies, and prevention efforts.

AIDS.org maintains a complete guide to testing for HIV. Broken down into categories and bulleted links, the guide details when, how, and why to get tested. It also offers information about how the disease spreads and how it can be prevented, as well as information on privacy and confidentiality in testing.

Maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), GetTested helps the public find local free testing services no matter where in the country they live. Just type in a ZIP code in the main search bar to get started.

The GCWA is an international alliance whose mission incorporates both HIV/AIDS and gender-equality issues. The alliance includes faith-based organizations, women's rights groups, networks of women living with the illness, and groups of caregivers. GCWA also petitions globally influential organizations to prioritize the plight of women with AIDS.

People can use the HIV/AIDS Bureau to locate services and care in their region, to examine data, read publications, and to learn about the constantly changing healthcare landscape surrounding the illness. The bureau administers the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Programs.

Part of the National Institutes of Health, the Office of AIDS Research provides educational resources about HIV/AIDS as well as information and news about the science surrounding the illness, meetings, fundraising opportunities, and library sources.

As its name implies, Advocates for Youth is an organization dedicated to serving young people, one of whom is infected with AIDS every 30 seconds. The group is charged with helping youth -- particularly at-risk youth -- avoid infection and seek help if they are diagnosed. It also provides information and resources for their parents and guardians.

The Treatment Action Group is a think tank made up of community activists and thought leaders. It is dedicated to promoting policy and conducting research geared toward prevention, treatment and a vaccine not just for AIDS, but also for hepatitis C and tuberculosis.

The American Foundation for Children With AIDS targets globally neglected regions with assistance for children with AIDS, their parents and caregivers. Visitors can find comprehensive information and support related to the disease, and also learn how they can volunteer their time or give a gift.

Created specifically to serve LGBT community members who are affected by HIV/AIDS, Community Healthcare Network provides "a safe space for you to come and get quality health care and support." The organization provides comprehensive medical care and never turns anyone away, and also maintains a general HIV prevention, testing, and education center.

Avert provides information about HIV and access to professional resources. Visitors can view educational materials such as infographics and a timeline about the rise of HIV, and also discover personal stories about other people's experiences regarding everything from testing to managing the illness.

Intravenous drug users dramatically reduce their chances of getting and transmitting HIV when they inject with new needles. Maintained by the CDC, the Syringe Services Programs offer information about non-prescription pharmacy services, needle-exchange programs, and other resources for securing clean needles.

The Harm Reduction Coalition exists to assist and educate all communities affected by drug use with syringe-access and AIDS-prevention programs included in the organization's mission. The coalition offers multimedia resources, connections to local support groups, and webinar archives.

Focusing mainly on treatment information, the AIDS InfoNet, which was founded in 1998, provides visitors with a categorized series of fact sheets. Subject matter includes combination therapy and other kinds of treatments, methods for dealing with side effects, what to expect while living with the illness, and information about drugs that treat opportunistic infections.

The AETC Program maintains regional training centers, provides tools for trainers, and offers consultation, library, and community services to provide clinicians with enhanced HIV/AIDS expertise. Supported by an HRSA grant, the program is the training arm of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.

Organized on the belief that the AIDS crisis is directly tied to the housing crisis, the National AIDS Housing Coalition works to provide HIV/AIDS patients with quality affordable housing. The organization is especially useful for homeless patients and those who advocate for them.

According to the Adolescent HIV/AIDS Prevention National Resource Center, more than half of American adolescents infected with HIV don't know they have the virus. The agency exists to provide young people and their families with support, resources and access to local services.

The Americans With Disabilities Act includes civil rights provisions that protect people who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. These provisions protect them from discrimination in a wide range of situations.

The Graying of AIDS works to benefit one of the most vulnerable, yet under-resourced demographics -- senior citizens. The organization provides information about trends, educational resources, training materials, and testing options for older patients and their caregivers.