Haight Ashbury Free Clinics

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Haight Ashbury Free Clinics

The Haight Ashbury Free Clinics (HAFC) are a set of free medical clinics originally established in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, California. Founded in 1967 by Dr. David E. Smith, the clinics were created to provide medical care to the thousands of young people who flocked to the area during the Summer of Love.

History

The Haight Ashbury Free Clinics were founded in response to the growing need for medical services among the influx of young people in the Haight-Ashbury district. The clinics initially focused on treating substance abuse and mental health issues, which were prevalent in the community. Over time, the services expanded to include general medical care, HIV/AIDS treatment, and other health services.

Services

The clinics offer a wide range of services, including:

• Primary care
• Mental health services
• Substance abuse treatment
• HIV/AIDS care
• Hepatitis C treatment
• Women's health services
• Homeless outreach

Impact

The Haight Ashbury Free Clinics have had a significant impact on the community and have served as a model for other free clinics across the United States. They have provided essential healthcare services to underserved populations and have been instrumental in addressing public health crises such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Merger

In 2011, the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics merged with Walden House, a substance abuse treatment organization, to form HealthRIGHT 360. This merger allowed the combined organization to offer a broader range of services and reach more people in need.

See also

• Free clinic
• HealthRIGHT 360
• David E. Smith (physician)
• Haight-Ashbury
• Summer of Love
• HIV/AIDS in the United States