Accelerating the Prevention and Control of HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STDs, and TB in the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands - The U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPIs) experience unique, significant challenges with prevention and control of HIV, VH, STIs and TB due to a multitude of factors including, among others, remotely dispersed populations, a limited understanding of disease burden, and antiquated and fragmented surveillance, laboratory and overall healthcare systems. In turn, these factors place limits on the accessibility to and the provision of critical services including the early detection and treatment of diseases. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for urgent systemic changes to these systems. The burden of HIV, STIs, Viral Hepatitis and Tuberculosis in Guam continues to disproportionately impact specific groups. The Project has experience in all the focus areas of HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis. In addition, the Project has made considerable progress through the support made possible viaCDC-RFA-PS13-1301 and CDC-RFA-PS18-1801 NOFOs. This application builds on the progress made from the previous NOFOs to increase the program collaboration and service integration (PCSI) across STI, HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and TB program areas to improve the efficient use of resources, reduce health-related disparities through workforce development through training and skills development and increasing access to screening, testing, and linkage to care for populations disproportionately affected by HIV, VH, STIs and TB. Lastly, it is the Project's intent to support the identification of priorities and best practices for addressing social factors that disproportionately increase risk for HIV, VH, STIs and TB and to promote health equity.
