The Role of Community Organizations in AIDS Prevention in Two Latino Communities in New York City

Black and Latino community organizations can play a major role in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention. Their ongoing relationships with their constituents, knowledge of relevant cultural values and channels of communication, and commitment to safeguard the well-being of their neighborhoods are an important resource for AIDS prevention campaigns.

In order to better understand the process by which community groups have taken on the issue of AIDS, investigators conducted in-depth interviews with a convenience sample of 47 neighborhood organizations in two primarily Latino communities in New York City. Researchers also attended community meetings, interviewed AIDS educators, and conducted focus groups with respondents.

More than half the groups had already sponsored some AIDS prevention activities prior to the first interview. More active groups were more likely to have multiple missions, previous experience with the target population, and prior experience working with people with AIDS.

Respondents reported a variety of obstacles to more active involvement in AIDS prevention at the community, organizational, and individual levels. To strengthen the role of community organizations in AIDS prevention, more resources should be provided to grass roots groups, AIDS should be linked to other urgent social problems facing black and Latino communities, and funders and AIDS organizations should respond more flexibly to the needs of neighborhood organizations.