The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) requests federal funding to implement high-impact HIV prevention and surveillance programs, CDC-RFA-PS-24-0047. The funds will be used to provide the human and technical resources necessary for the conducting required by funder activities for the city of Chicago. These activities will build upon existing electronic information systems for the collection, integration, analysis, and reporting of data across clinics and the project area. Personnel will work collaboratively to ensure that data are shared internally and with the state and county health departments so that data are translated into broad public health action.
Demographics of HIV Populations in Chicago
In 2022, there were 627 new HIV diagnoses in Chicago. Among new HIV diagnoses, 81% were linked to care within 30 days, and 92% by 12 months. The population groups most impacted by HIV were men (78% of new HIV diagnoses), gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) (60%), NH Blacks (48%), and individuals aged 20-29 years old (38%). New HIV infections were clustered in specific community areas in the north, south, and west sides of Chicago. Of the 18,887 Chicagoans living with HIV in 2022, only 46% were retained in care, and 60% were virally suppressed.2 Among those newly diagnosed, 83% were linked to care in one month in 2022. For PWH, 74% received HIV medical care and 60% of these were virally suppressed. Those who are living with HIV and know their HIV infection account for 89% of all PWH in Chicago. Progress has been made in HIV prevention as the estimated annual new HIV infections were roughly 20% lower in 2021 (632 infections) compared to 2017 (794 infections).
The CDPH, Syndemic Infectious Disease (SID) bureau will make progress towards achieving short, intermediate, and long-term outcomes identified in this funding opportunity announcement. Specifically, by 2029, the bureau expects to:1) increase knowledge of status to 95% by ensuring all people with HIV receive a diagnosis as early as possible.2) implement a comprehensive approach to treat people with diagnosed HIV infection rapidly (increase linkage to care up to 95%) and effectively to achieve viral suppression up to 95%; 3) prevent new HIV transmission, by increasing PrEP coverage to 50% of estimated people with indications for PrEP, increasing PEP services, and supporting HIV prevention, including prevention of perinatal transmission, harm reduction and syringe services program (SSP) efforts; 4) respond quickly to HIV clusters and outbreaks to address gaps and inequities in services for communities who need them; 5) conduct HIV surveillance activities as described in the Technical Guidance (TG) for HIV surveillance programs to ensure accurate, timely, complete, and actionable data; 6) support community engagement and HIV planning.
Data obtained from this project will be used at local, state and federal levels to support and scale Up of HIV Prevention Services in Sexual Health Clinics locally and nationally.
Funding Request:
The Chicago Department of Public Health requests $9,466,440 to accomplish all the outcomes outlined in this proposal.