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You are Here: Home Page > About the AIDS Institute > Nutrition Initiative  

Nutrition Initiative

Program Description

Good nutrition is essential to the management of HIV infection. Persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/A) have special dietary requirements that must be considered to delay weight loss, wasting, and malnutrition. Nutritious food profoundly affects the immune system, may delay disease progression, increases tolerance of medical treatments and can have a major impact on the quality of life. The Nutrition Initiative provides home- delivered and congregate meals, pantry bags (groceries), food vouchers, and nutrition services to PLWH/A throughout New York State.

Home-delivered meals help to maintain or improve the health and well being of home restricted individuals with HIV/AIDS by providing high calorie, high protein, therapeutically tailored meals, and snacks. For PLWH/A who lack the ability to shop for and prepare food, home-delivered meals fulfill a critical need, often allowing them to leave the hospital sooner and remain in the community longer.

Congregate meals are served in community locations fostering access to health care, prevention, and supportive services, while meeting the nutritional needs of PLWH/A. Many PLWH/A using the congregate meal programs are indigent, homeless, or in marginal housing which lack kitchen facilities and food preparation equipment.

Pantry bags (groceries) and food vouchers allow PLWH/A with limited financial resources access to nutritious food. In conjunction with nutrition services, PLWH/A are able to increase their levels of independence by preparing meals and making their own food choices. Nutritional services, conducted by a registered dietitian or New York State Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist, include screenings, assessments and reassessments, counseling, and workshops on HIV/AIDS nutrition related topics.

Funding

Fourteen (14) contractors statewide participate in this initiative, supported by approximately $2.4 million in combined State and federal funds.