Health Emergency Lifeline Programs (HELP) is the corporate name of the Detroit, Michigan based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which has provided HIV prevention and care services to the area’s underserved populations since 1986. The organization is known in the community and operates as Corktown Health and will be referred to as such throughout the proposal.
Racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately burdened by the HIV epidemic due to the many inequities and health disparities these populations experience. Nationwide, new HIV diagnosis numbers indicate a disproportionate burden among YMSM of color. This same population group leads new diagnoses in Michigan at a 10.1 HIV transmission rate (MDHHS HIV Surveillance Report, 2021). To reduce this tremendous disparity and complement End the HIV Epidemic efforts, the proposed HIV prevention plan aims to provide prioritized HIV testing for 1,200 people within the focus population, distribute 25,000 condoms among the focus population and engage over 5,000 individuals in community settings over the five year funding period. The proposed High-Impact HIV Prevention program will focus on YMSM of color who are disproportionately at risk for HIV infection and those living with HIV who struggle to achieve or maintain viral suppression. They represent some of the highest rates for new HIV diagnoses, lowest rates of linkage to care, highest poverty rates and greatest overall health disparities. Specifically, Corktown Health will target services to this high priority group which is also consistent with the HIV National Strategic Plan for 2021-2025.
Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly black and Latino MSM have among the highest rates of HIV infection. According to the Statewide HIV Surveillance Report, over half of new diagnoses in Michigan occur among MSM. 41.3% of all new diagnoses in 2020 were in black men while Hispanic men experienced 5.3% of new HIV cases. Sustained efforts are needed to maintain these men in continuous care and to further improve viral load suppression rates.
As Michigan’s first and only LGBTQ+ integrated primary health care center and community-based organization, Corktown Health aims to reduce health disparities and inequities for YMSM of color and their partners by providing HIV testing, status neutral comprehensive high-impact HIV prevention, linkage to PrEP, nPEP and HIV linkage to care. The agency will apply collaborative community recruitment, engagement, and planning strategies, and provide safe space for this priority population. By coordinating and focusing our testing, outreach and community/marketing efforts to reach those most impacted by the HIV epidemic, Corktown Health will act on the CDC’s priorities in rapidly diagnosing, linking, and treating PWH to improve HIV-related outcomes and ultimately work to end the HIV epidemic.
