Thursday, April 3, 2025
4/3/2025
Viejas HIV and STI Self-test program. - While substantial progress has been made in preventing and treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) continue to be overlooked. To advance health equity in HIV prevention and treatment, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians (Viejas), began offering resources for HIV self-testing, including the distribution of the FDA-approved OraQuick and the referral of community members to other self-testing services and resources for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Viejas also introduced a public health vending machine (PHVM) dispensing free naloxone and fentanyl testing strips to the community. Since its first year of placement the PHVM has been utilized over 100 times, showing strong community engagement and promising potential for expanding its utility. Integrating HIV/ STI self-testing kits into the PHVM is a feasible and frequently requested next step, further supporting the community's health needs for non-traditional and less stigmatizing methods of HIV/STI diagnosis and prevention. Building upon this prior work, the Viejas Tribe proposes to develop a community-based program centered on the distribution of essential HIV/STI/Harm reduction services and resources. Through a cooperative agreement, Viejas will address the following pillars under the IHS ETHICS II Focus Area One: Community-based programs that use a syndemic approach to address racial and ethnic disparities. Our efforts will focus on two key areas: 1. Prevention by increasing awareness of HIV and STIs among AI/AN and 2. Diagnosis by increasing knowledge of HIV and STI status among AI/AN. The primary goal is to establish a culturally sustained program that prevents HIV and other STIs, promotes safer behaviors, and provides easy, non-stigmatizing access to essential health resources. This will be done by integrating HIV/STI screening and prevention into a tribally supported harm reduction program that discreetly delivers health products using innovative, contactless methods provided through a PHVM. Expected outcomes include increased knowledge and awareness of HIV/STI, increased testing and early detection of HIV/STI, improved linkage to HIV/STI care and treatment, enhanced community engagement and trust in health initiatives, and a reduction in HIV/STI incidence among AI/AN. This project directly addresses the urgent need for HIV prevention and diagnosis in Indian Country, aligning with the United States federal initiative to Ending the HIV Epidemic.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).