Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
Project Abstract Summary The epidemiological picture paints an alarming image of Native America Minnesotans’ HIV and other STI burden. Since 2015, new incidents of HIV transmission among Native Americans are trending upwards, outpace new infections among any other racial and ethnical group in the state, outside of white Minnesotans. In 2019, a confluence of factors, from the massive rise in instable housing and displacement across the Metropolitan to a surge in opioid use and relating fatalities, has resulted in an 18% increase in the new HIV infections among Indigenous Minnesotans. The rapid rise in new HIV incidents correspond with an upward trend in the rise of other STIs, specifically Hepatitis C, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and primary Syphilis. These dismal trends are centered geographically within the seven counties metro- Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington: the Twin Counties of Hennepin and Ramsey, and particularly the cities of Minneapolis and saint Paul, accounting for the greater disease burden. IPTF proposes a comprehensive high-impact prevention project that centers the twined rise of HIV and STI among Indigenous men and women, 18 to 55 years old across the Seven Counties Metropolitan and throughout Greater Minnesota. To increase public awareness of HIV and other STIs trends and their disproportionate impact on Native Americans, IPTF will design, optimize, and distribute, culturally specific promotional materials using a multimedia strategy that incorporates print and digital mediums. Furthermore, to increase community and individual awareness and understanding of the modes of disease transmission, lifecycle, combat stigma, and to deepen understandings of care and treatment options, IPTF will conduct facilitated weekly group education sessions, consisting of twenty high risk people. For increased identification of new HIV and STI diagnoses, IPTF will offer confidential HIV/STI counseling, testing, and referral sessions to 1000 persons per year, both in our offices and at offsite locations: using the latest rapid and remote testing technology. Integrating STI screenings with HIV testing opportunity will increase client STI care and treatment fall through, close service gaps, and reduce comorbidity identification and treatment delays. Working collaboratively with Partner Services and internal stakeholders, persons with new HIV diagnosis will be immediately linked to care for initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Similarly, IPTF will reengage previously diagnosed, not-in-care PLWH, providing the services and programs necessary to achieve maximal care engagement and retention. Partnering with culturally competent medical facilities, IPTF will simplify the care initiation processes; eliminating client fall off and increasing care medical adherence to 90% over 5 years. To increase risk reduction engagement, IPTF will distribute 20,0000 safer sex kits, a variety of condoms and lubes. Lastly, IPTF will refer 1000 high risk HIV negative clients for Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) initiation and care; and refer 100% of high risk clients, with self-identified HIV exposures for Non-occupational Postexposure Prohylaxis (nPEP) care. Together, the combination of these strategies and their implementation over the next five years, will reverse the tide of new HIV and STI infections among Indigenous Minnesotans. Together, with these strategies and initiatives, IPTF will close critical referral gaps, decrease client fall offs, increase client initiation of critical biomedical interventions. And the integration of a robust public awareness will leave to a decrease in HIV stigma and increase awareness understanding of HIV and STI risk, and risk reduction strategies and interventions.
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).
