Friday, May 9, 2025
5/9/2025
Ryan White Part C Outpatient EIS Program - General overview of the HIV epidemiology in the entire proposed service area. The Louisiana HIV, AIDS, and Early Syphilis Surveillance Quarterly Report March 31, 2024 (most recent published data) states there are a total of 23,126 persons living with HIV (PLWH) in Louisiana ; of these individuals, 10,969 people (47%) have an AIDS diagnosis. There are 2,346 PLWH in the service area representing 22% of the state total. In 2023, 875 new HIV cases were diagnosed in Louisiana. Of these new cases, 109 (12%) occurred in the proposed service area. Metro New Orleans includes the service area parishes of St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, and St. Tammany. In 2022, the New Orleans MSA ranked 11th for HIV case rates (19.3 per 100,000) among the large metropolitan areas in the nation. The primary risk factor for people newly diagnosed with HIV in Louisiana is gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM). In 2023, among new diagnoses who reported a risk factor, 60% reported being GBM, and an additional 3% reported being GBM and a person who injects drugs. As of March 31, 2024, 47% of all people with a reported risk factor living with HIV in Louisiana were GBM. In the service area, 64% of PLWH are Black/African American; 41% are Black/African American men; 65% report a primary risk factor of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM); and 5.8% are people who inject drugs (PWID). Of newly diagnosed HIV cases, 65% reported a primary risk factor of GBM in 2023. In 2023, 64% of newly diagnosed HIV cases in the service area were Black/African American while only 23% of the service area’s overall population is Black/African American. Service area. Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, and Washington parishes in Louisiana. Key services to be supported by this request. Funds are requested to support 1 FTE Program Coordinator; 0.15 FTE Nurse Practitioner; 2 FTE 0.05 Nurse Practitioners; 1 FTE Case Manager; and 0.2 FTE Nutritionist to provide expanded and enhanced HIV care continuum services. Identified clinic staff for the program recently completed training that now allows Start to deliver HIV medical treatment directly instead of relying on referrals to partner hospitals. Funding will enhance and expand services for HIV+ clients that include targeted outreach and counseling to high-risk, vulnerable populations including rural areas through a mobile van. Linkages to care will be improved through assessment and referral for needed core medical and supportive services. Start adheres to an integrated home health model that combines primary medical, behavioral health, case management, and support services in one setting to better meet the needs of their patient population and improve treatment outcomes. Start is able to provide most core medical and supportive services directly through their existing programs. Testing will be offered as part of the primary care visit to expand outreach and reduce stigma. Retention in care efforts will be strengthened through enhanced early intervention services (EIS); medical case management; and quality comprehensive outpatient ambulatory medical services. ART and viral suppression services will be enhanced through individualized counseling on treatment options, client adherence counseling, medication checks, appointment reminders, ongoing medical evaluations, and linkages to needed supportive services. Services will be offered at four clinic sites in the proposed service area, through mobile units, and through an established Telehealth program.
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).