News and Publications

This section has been designed to assist clients and journalists seeking information on the latest news about reproductive health care and Health Quarters.

Here you’ll find news briefs, publications such as our annual report and e-newsletter, and clips of Health Quarters in the news.

HQ’s Director of Development and Communications is available to assist journalists with questions regarding our work, reaching a staff expert such as our executive director or a clinician, or obtaining more information about a news event or release.

Briefs

Women who have made remarkable contributions in the fields of women’s health and journalism will share their stories at Health Quarters’ second annual fund-raiser, Celebrating Remarkable Women, at the Elks at Bass Rocks, Gloucester on Thursday, May 1, 2008.

The event features a silent and live auction, light supper, and a program with Eileen McNamara, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and university professor and Roseanna Means, M.D., physician to homeless women. Music will be provided by Salem musician and cervical cancer survivor Christine Baze and the emcee will be entertainment reporter Sara Edwards.

Tickets are $35, and $60 for mothers and daughters who attend together. Contact 978.927.9824 x2113 or keturahh@healthq.org to order.

HEALTH QUARTERS RECEIVES FUNDS FOR EXPANDED HIV TESTING AND PREVENTION
$366,000 grant will enhance family planning services in Lawrence, Lowell and Lynn

BEVERLY -- Health Quarters (HQ) has received a three-year, $366,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to enhance HIV/AIDS testing and prevention services in their family planning clinics in Lawrence, Lowell, and Lynn. more >>

The grant will expand the availability of free or low-cost onsite rapid HIV testing, counseling, education and assisted referral to care if tests yield positive results at HQ’s Lawrence health center and in the family planning services at Lowell Community Health Center and Lynn Community Health Center. Up to 3,000 individuals may receive these services in the first year of the initiative

According to the MA Department of Public Health HIV/AIDS Bureau, 30% of people diagnosed with HIV infection between 2001 and 2003 either had AIDS when HIV infection was diagnosed, or tested positive for AIDS within two months of the HIV diagnosis. This figure provides an approximation of people in the state who are infected but do not know it.

Health Quarters is one of the few health organizations in Northeastern Massachusetts offering the rapid HIV test, which produces results within 10-15 minutes. With this test, return visits for results are eliminated; post-test prevention counseling is available during the same visit; and persons testing positive can start medical care more quickly.

“For many low income residents of these cities, HQ family planning services are their only link to health care and a gateway to HIV testing,” according to Health Quarters Executive Director Lianne Cook. “By integrating these services into routine family planning visits, we can reduce the stigma of testing and address barriers to diagnosis and treatment. Ultimately we can better prevent HIV transmission and get early diagnoses and appropriate care to those who may be affected.” She added, “People want the peace of mind that comes with knowledge of their HIV status.”

The grant aims to reduce barriers to implementing The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2007 revised recommendations to make voluntary HIV screening a routine part of medical care for all patients ages 13 to 64. <<back

Clips

11.23.06
Ideas of family planning put to test - Letter to editor Boston Globe
No Link available

10.5.06
Column - Parents make great family educators
No Link available Haverhill Gazette

8.25.06
FDA allows some nonprescription sales of morning after pill
Lawrence Eagle-Tribune

4.24.06
Reproductive rights advocates: Having Plan B on hand prevents unintended pregnancies
Lawrene Eagle-Tribune

Publications

We are pleased to share our annual reports, which ouline Health Quarters' finances and activities for our fiscal year, which begins July 1.

If you have difficulty opening the above pdf documents, please go to Adobe.com to download your free Adobe Acrobat Reader.