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The study, “Health Gaps Survey of
Bronx Re-entry Populations,” indicates that more than 40 percent of parolees
and released prisoners sent to the Bronx from the state prisons have two or
more major chronic conditions. The study also found that levels of hepatitis C
testing and treatment in those released individuals are very low, even though
hepatitis C is a major problem in prison populations. Only 36 percent of the
released persons who were interviewed reported having been tested for hepatitis
C.
The study interviewed 181 Bronx
releasees. Among these, 68 percent reported substance abuse problems, 22
percent reported mental health problems, and 40 percent reported being in
treatment for HIV/AIDS. Chris Norwood, executive director of Health People and
lead author of the study, stated that the numbers underscore a crisis in health
for parolees, which has to be addressed. He explained that it was not a random
survey, but was focused on the poorest parolees with many staying in homeless
shelters.
The study will be released at a
public briefing at Health People Community Preventive Health Institute in the
Bronx. Also, at the briefing the challenges the Bronx faces and the progress
being made with its re-entry population will be discussed, including a
discussion by the Bronx Borough Presidents’ Office on the work of the new Bronx
Re-Entry task force, community efforts by the Bronx Re-Entry working group to
increase support services for returning prisoners, and early results of
outcomes from a study of Health Seeking behavior among Bronx Re-Entry
populations. Norwood stated that the Bronx is making great efforts to ensure
health services and social support for parolees; but with the increase in
numbers and the serious health issues of parolees, help is needed. The study
was sponsored by the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The full study results are
available by emailing ChrisNorwood@HealthPeople.org.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
