Sunday, November 24, 2024
11/24/2024
Florida Department of Health Integrated HIV Programs for Health Departments to Support Ending the HIV Epidemic in the United States CDC-RFA-PS-20-2010 Project Abstract Summary Florida has a diverse population, substantial HIV/AIDS morbidity, and unique issues with respect to HIV/AIDS surveillance and prevention. Florida's comprehensive, multi-faceted, and integrated HIV prevention and surveillance programs are managed and directed by the HIV/AIDS Section of the Bureau of Communicable Diseases in the Florida Department of Health (Department). Through collaborations with community partnerships and county health departments, high-quality, evidence-based, culturally appropriate prevention and education services are supported and provided to Florida populations at-risk for HIV as well as to individuals currently living with a diagnosis of HIV. Surveillance data are systematically collected and disseminated to a wide-ranging audience and integrated planning bodies provide guidance on how to implement initiatives effectively across the state. Seven counties in Florida - Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, and Pinellas counties - were named as counties of high HIV burden within the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) plan. These counties represent 78 percent of the total persons with HIV (PWH) in Florida. In 2016, the Department 's HIV/AIDS Section developed the statewide Four Key Component Plan to Eliminate HIV Transmission and Reduce HIV-Related Deaths. The plan, which is similar to the EHE plan, includes four pillars: 1) implement routine HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening in health care settings and prioritized testing in non-health care settings; 2) provide HIV testing and rapid access to treatment, and ensure retention in care (Test and Treat); 3) improve access to antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and nonoccupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPrEP); and 4) increase HIV awareness and community response through outreach, engagement, and messaging. Keeping PWH in care and virally suppressed is key. Holistic management can stop transmission. For this reason, it is important to expand access to care for those with HIV by implementing person-centered care models, streamlining protocols, training more health care workers on the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, and offering mental health and substance abuse treatment. Ryan White HIV/AIDS programs provide a comprehensive system of care that includes primary medical care and essential support services for uninsured and underinsured PWH. There must also be a focus on the social determinants of health that preclude people from engaging in prevention activities, seeking treatment, and acquiring an adequate level of health literacy. Key social determinants for the state include, but are not limited to, homelessness, poverty, racism, violence, stigma, homophobia, and transphobia. Initiatives such as anti-stigma campaigns, collaborations with faith-based organizations, and those that address social determinants will aid in ending the HIC epidemic. The HIV/AIDS Section will collaborate with various partners including the Department's Office of Minority Health and Health Equity to promote synergistic initiatives to address the social determinants for health that are barriers for testing, treatment, and care for Floridians.
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).
