Friday, April 4, 2025
4/4/2025
Florida High-Impact HIV Prevention and Surveillance Programs for Health Departments - Florida Department of Health High-Impact Prevention and Surveillance Programs for Health Departments CDC-PS-24-0047 Project Abstract Summary Florida has a diverse population, substantial HIV/AIDS morbidity, and unique issues with respect to HIV/AIDS surveillance and prevention. In 2022, 124,577 persons were known to be living with HIV within the state. 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. Routine HIV and STD screening in health care settings and prioritized HIV testing in non-health care settings are implemented statewide. Routine screening, diagnosis, and immediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy is a key strategy in identifying new HIV infections, ensuring linkage and adherence to care, and viral suppression. A robust Data to Care process identifies all individuals who are not in care and further cultivates the link between surveillance data and prevention efforts. Linkage and re-engagement programs are in place to ensure that at-risk persons are linked to prevention interventions and that HIV-infected persons are linked to and re-engaged in care, and other social services. All HIV-diagnosed persons are offered partner services by certified disease intervention specialists. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) services are being offered statewide, with approximately 14 county health departments (CHDs) now offering PrEP services. Highly trained staff in CHDs and community-based organizations throughout the state implement evidence-based interventions for at-risk and HIV-infected persons. These staff also provide health education and risk reduction services to our diverse communities through culturally appropriate outreach, social marketing, mobilization activities, and the distribution of appropriate prevention materials. Perinatal HIV prevention and surveillance remain high priorities and comprehensive initiatives are in place to monitor cases and provide interventions to reduce the number of babies born with HIV in Florida. 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 non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP); and 4) increase HIV awareness and community response through outreach, engagement, and messaging.
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).