Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
The Department of Public Health’s Division of HIV and STD Programs (DHSP) is charged with developing and managing public health surveillance and a programmatic response to HIV in Los Angeles County (LAC). DHSP epidemiologists estimate that 58,500 people were living with HIV (PLWH) in LAC at the end of 2019; of those, 11% were unaware of their infection. In 2018, 1,660 HIV cases were diagnosed. Among the newly diagnosed cases, 25% were not linked to care within 30 days and as of the end of 2019, 40% of PLWH were not virally suppressed. While many of our most marginalized and disenfranchised residents can achieve viral suppression through the combined access to life-saving treatment and a menu of services that improves health system navigation and access, health outcomes along the HIV continuum of care (HCC) are persistently lower for African Americans, Latino MSM, youth, transgender persons, persons who inject drugs, and women compared to all PLWH. However, progress along the HCC can only be measured for persons currently diagnosed and engaged in care. With a population of over 10 million residents, LAC is among the most ethnically and economically diverse regions in the nation. The challenges of delivering HIV services in LAC go beyond the size of its HIV epidemic, and encompass significant demographic, socioeconomic, cultural and linguistic diversities, and are intensified by the large number of uninsured PLWH experiencing poverty and afflicted with other medical conditions. Los Angeles County is now trying to end two epidemics-HIV and COVID-19. COVID-19 has attacked and impacted Los Angeles County’s health care system, work force, economy, health of residents, and people’s ability to survive. Results from a recent survey on the impact of COVID-19 and additional communications from HIV service providers indicate gratitude that they can provide services today, but fear of closure tomorrow. This fear is driven by staffing shortages; inadequate supplies of PPE; and for some, limited capacity to conduct telemedicine. Without an end in sight, or decrease in number of COVID-19 cases, HIV prevention and care services are in flux. The dedication and commitment to Ending the HIV Epidemic (EtHE) in Los Angeles County has not waivered; but EtHE activities must be aligned with current needs of the population, have the highest cost-benefit ratio and potential impact on achieving EtHE goals, and must be doable given the current resources, priorities and staffing in healthcare and non-healthcare settings. The framework for EtHE in Los Angeles County is Right Data, Right Tools, and Right Leadership. This funding opportunity will support a number of assessment activities (surveillance infrastructure, HIV testing infrastructure, PrEP environment for high risk populations, mental health landscape, feasibility of routine opt-out testing, and community acceptance of recency testing); new program activities (PHI hotline, home test kits, community mobilization by non-HIV CBOs, and recency testing); and new staff dedicated to EtHE activities. All project activities have a singular outcome-reduced new HIV infections.
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).
