Tuesday, May 13, 2025
5/13/2025
OP EARLY INTERVENTION SVCS W/RESPECT TO HIV DISEASE - Summary of request: Southwest Community Health Center (SWCHC) is requesting $433,005 (per year for three years) to continue providing Early Intervention Services to the residents and HIV/AIDS patients of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Since 1990, SWCHC has offered comprehensive primary care to patients with HIV/AIDS. Services include medical treatment, medication management, treatment adherence, oral and behavioral health, screening, counseling and testing, case management, outreach, eligibility assistance, and referrals for specialty care. SWCHC operates ten primary care facilities throughout the north, south and western sections of Bridgeport. In 2023, of SWCHC’s HIV/AIDS patients 57.4% are African American and 37.2% are Hispanic. Target population: The target population are persons infected with, or at-risk for becoming infected with the HIV virus. As a Ryan White Part C recipient, SWCHC treats youth and adults, men and women, and all persons in need of care regardless of ability to pay. In addition, the program provides education, prevention, and support services to family members. Overview, HIV epidemiology: As of 12/31/2023, 1,125 persons living with HIV (PLWH) resided in Bridgeport, third highest in the state, of whom 47.3% are African American and 39.3% are Hispanic. Among recently diagnosed (2017 – 2021), 47% are African American and 42% are Hispanic. Three-fifths (59.2%) of PLWH are male and 40.8% are female, a proportion that has remained stable in recent years. As of 12/31/23, 390 HIV+ patients were in treatment at SWCHC and the primary mode of transmission for PLWH is through sexual contact: 26% (men having sex with men) and 63% (heterosexual). The majority of SWCHC’s PLWH are male (61.8%) and minority: African American (57.4%) and Hispanic (37.2%). Medicaid recipients comprise 45.9% of all patients, 17.7% receive Medicare, and 24.9% have no insurance. Services and needs to be addressed: SWCHC is the predominant community health center in three-quarters of the city and offers comprehensive, culturally and linguistically competent primary health care. Specific HIV/AID services include primary care (internal medicine, pediatrics, and OB/GYN), specialty care (on-site and through e-consults), case management and outreach, counseling and testing, oral health, mental health, outpatient substance abuse treatment, treatment adherence, health education, nutritional counseling, risk reduction, and eligibility assistance. In addition, SWCHC provides comprehensive services for diseases related to HIV/AIDS such as STDs, Hepatitis B and C, and Tuberculosis. Number of PLWH to be served: SWCHC anticipates treating approximately 390 HIV+ and HIV at-risk individuals over the next three years (5/1/2025-4/30/2028).
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).