PROJECT ABSTRACT Project Title: HEAT PATH Network Applicant Organization: The Research Foundation for State University of New York (SUNY), for and on behalf of SUNY Downstate Medical Center (DHSU), HEAT Program Address: 450 Clarkson Avenue, MSC 49, Brooklyn, NY 11203-2012 Project Director Name: Jeffrey M. Birnbaum, MD, MPH Contact Phone Numbers (Voice, Fax):(V) (718) 613-8428;(F) (718) 613-8554 E-Mail: Jeffrey.birnbaum@downstate.edu; Web: www.heatprogram.org Grant Program Funds Requested: $344,360.00 Project Description: The Health & Education Alternatives for Teens (HEAT) Program of SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (SUNY-DHSU) is requesting $344,360.00 to conduct the HEAT PATH Network, to provide family-centered primary medical care to HIV+ women, infants, children and youth (WICY) in Brooklyn, NY, one of NY’s highest HIV seroprevalence areas. HEAT, a multidisciplinary program providing comprehensive medical services to HIV+ and high-risk youth aged 13-24, has nearly 30 years of experience serving people with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Brooklyn. The HEAT Clinic, a community-based, NYS Article 28 licensed medical facility, operates within SUNY-DHSU’s University Hospital of Brooklyn (UHB) in Central Brooklyn (CB). Its key clinical partner is the Program for AIDS Treatment and Health (PATH) Center at The Brooklyn Hospital Center (TBHC), a NYS Designated AIDS Center (DAC) program providing comprehensive medical and psychosocial care to HIV+ adults, children and families in Brooklyn. HEAT also partners with SUNY-DHSU’s Special Treatment & Research (STAR) Program (adult HIV program). HEAT, PATH and STAR are all recognized for their leadership in setting clinical standards of care for HIV+ and at-risk WICY & families. Care Models: HEAT’s adolescent-focused, single-site, “one stop shopping” model provides comprehensive, age appropriate, culturally competent HIV care and supportive services for heterosexual and LGBT youth, most of whom ar
e Black and Latino. Services include outreach, HIV testing & linkage to care, HIV primary medical & mental health care, supportive services, and access to clinical research; all provided by an interdisciplinary team. The PATH multidisciplinary model provides HIV primary medical care and related services for all WICY populations. No. of HIV+ WICY Served by SUNY-DHSU: 2018: 1597; 2019: 1261; 2020: 1452. Needs to be Addressed: The HEAT PATH Network will address the HIV medical and related needs of Brooklyn WICY. Brooklyn leads NYC in overall AIDS diagnoses (26.5%) & ranks 2nd in NYC for new HIV diagnoses (25.9%); 1st in NYC for Black women for new HIV diagnoses (31.5%), AIDS (35%); PLWH (34.3%), and deaths (32.9%). MSM under 30 years account for ~50% of all new HIV diagnoses among all MSM.Key Services & QI Measures to be supported by RW Part D Funding: Comprehensive health care services, including medical evaluation and clinical care; women’s health, adolescent health, and medical case management. QI Measures: Retention in HIV medical care; prescription of ART; VL suppression; housing status; system-level performance. Population Groups to be Served: HIV+ women (females =25 years), HIV+ and exposed infants, HIV+ children, and HIV+ youth. Major Activity to be Implemented: Enhanced case management to supplement existing services. Continuum of Care Stages Addressed: Retention in care; prescription of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy; viral load (VL) suppression.