Wednesday, April 2, 2025
4/2/2025
Special Projects of National Significance - Minority HIV/AIDS Fund - UNM Truman Health Services (THS) is a National Committee for Quality Assurance Accredited Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home with a Behavioral Health distinction which provides welcoming quality primary care for people with HIV (PWH) living in New Mexico. THS offers a variety of treatment services utilizing a holistic approach that supports our patients’ medical, mental health, and social needs. THS has been providing care for PWH for nearly 40 years and currently cares for nearly one-half of the state’s total HIV population. Disparities in linkage and retention in HIV care and in health outcomes are seen in minority groups in NM, especially those with untreated mental health and substance use disorders and challenges with social determinants of health (SDoH). Utilizing published strategies and the lessons learned from Special Projects of National Significance, the Case Management for HIV and Ethnic Racial Minorities (CAREHIV) project plans to use a syndemic approach to link and retain PWH, aged 14 years and above who are from racial and ethnic minority groups who are out of care, and at greatest risk of being lost to care, in comprehensive and integrated care. The primary goal is to develop an innovative case management program tailored to the specific psychosocial and geographic conditions of PWH in New Mexico by including Community Health Workers and Intensive Case Management Services, so each PWH has access to the support they need to be successfully engaged in care without the added strain of unaddressed gaps in their SDoH. HIV viral suppression, reduced gaps in care, and improved outcomes with co-occurring mental health, substance use, and metabolic conditions will be targeted. CAREHIV is tailored to the social and cultural characteristics of New Mexico and aims to enhance linkage to care for PWH, improve access to medical and behavioral health treatment and education, and prevent future infections by emphasizing the importance of U=U and educating partners about prevention services. The program aims to strengthen collaborations to unify the New Mexico Department of Health (NM DOH), correctional facilities, social service organizations, and community-based organizations through the state to support linkage and engagement in HIV care for vulnerable populations. NM is the 5th geographically largest state in the nation with the 3rd highest proportion of Native Americans in the U.S and half of New Mexicans who identify as Hispanic or Latino. Per the 2019 NM Annual Surveillance Report, minorities have disproportionately higher rates of HIV and new Stage 3 infections, with 52% of new HIV infection in Hispanics and with the highest rates in African Americans (23.2/100,000), Native Americans (16.2/100,000) and Hispanics (9.3/100,000). In NM, 1 out of 7 people live below the poverty level and have food insecurity with nearly 1 out of 3 living in a food desert and over 1 in 4 who speak a language other than English at home. THS clinical sites are in Albuquerque, the most populated city in NM, and Roswell, an underserved rural area in southeast NM. Teams located in these areas will service the focus population who reside primarily in these areas and will collaborate with healthcare organizations throughout the state to work toward a NM-wide approach to patient-centered linkage and retention in care. Collaborators will include NM DOH, HIV clinical and case management service providers, Bernalillo County Detention Center, and community health centers, hospitals and urgent cares throughout NM. The program will include linking patients to local resources to address SDoH, address gaps with SDoH, facilitate culturally-focused support groups, and provide nutritional assessment and diet education to minoring PWH in NM. THS requests $444,698 in year one and $490,583 in subsequent years to support this project, including the creation and dissemination of replication materials.
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).