Research suggest that lack of transportation negatively impacts adherence to HIV-related medical treatment.  Moreover, improving access to ancillary services such as food banks, case management, and mental health services increases positive health outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), but transportation can be a barrier to accessing ancillary services.  The purpose of this Needs Assessment Special Study on transportation is to examine the role of transportation in medical adherence for PLWHA in the Ryan White Memphis Transitional Grant Area (TGA), which consists of eight counties in three states: Shelby, Fayette, and Tipton Counties in Tennessee; Crittenden County in Arkansas; Tate, Tunica, Marshall, and DeSoto Counties in Mississippi.

Working in collaboration with the United Way of the Mid-South, the Mid-South Coalition on HIV/AIDS, and the Ryan White Part A Planning Council, the Center for Research on Women (CROW) has conducted an interdisciplinary, multimethods needs assessment of transportation barriers to HIV/AIDS service delivery to consumers.  Data were collected using a consumer survey, interviews with transportation and service providers, and focus groups with consumers and service providers.

Included in this report are:

• an analysis of current transportation resources for accessing HIV-related services in the Ryan White Memphis TGA
• an analysis of current transportation needs and barriers to HIV-related services for PLWHA
• findings from quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, including links to medical adherence
• recommendations related to transportation coordination improvement for the Ryan White Planning Council in the Memphis TGA

To read the full report click on the Ryan White Part A HIV/AIDS Transportation Needs Assessment Special Study, June 2010 link on the right.