Yearly Archives: 2017

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Covered California’s Open-Enrollment Period off to a Solid Start

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California issued its first enrollment snapshot for the first two weeks of the current open-enrollment period. From Nov. 1 through Nov. 14, more than 48,000 new consumers signed up for coverage through Covered California, which is slightly ahead of last year’s pace when more than 39,000 consumers selected a plan during the first two weeks of November 2016.

** Covered California FAQ: For People Living with HIV and Hep C and People Considering PrEP **

“Covered California is off to another positive start as consumers take advantage of the lower prices being offered this year to buy quality health care coverage,” said Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California. “While we are encouraged by these early results, we will continue to work hard to get the word out so consumers know they have until Jan. 31 to sign up for coverage.”

Unlike a majority of other states in the nation, California’s open-enrollment period runs through Jan. 31, 2018. However, consumers who want their insurance coverage to begin on Jan. 1, 2018, must enroll by…

(Full Article)

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HIV Prevention Research by and for the Transgender Community in California: TransPrEP!

NEW VIDEO FROM CHRP: TransPrEP!

The California HIV/AIDS Research Program (CHRP) is proud to be funding the largest demonstration project of its kind in the U.S., to determine the acceptability, utilization, adherence, and pharmacokinetics of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication among transgender persons.

In this new video, researchers, consumers, and health care providers offer their perspectives on why this research is important, and how members of the community can participate.

CHRP has invested $9.4 million in three research studies across the state, recognizing that the people in the transgender community deserve dedicated and substantial resources to promote their health and protect their lives. The studies each use different techniques, such as providing PrEP and hormonal therapy together at a single clinic visit, or an in-depth pharmacokinetic analysis to determine whether the two treatments interact, or a custom text messaging app to communicate with providers and offer peer support.

CHRP is grateful to the organizers of the National Transgender Health Summit for premiering this video at the opening plenary on November 11, 2017, in Oakland, California.

Links for more information:
CHRP  PrEP for Transgender Persons Initiative
iM-PrEPT! Study
Stay Study
TRIUMPH Study

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On Track But Continued Progress Needed on HIV Viral Suppression to Achieve Our Nation’s Goal

The science is clear: recent scientific advances in our understanding of the impact of HIV treatment have shown that achieving and maintaining viral suppression improves the health of those living with HIV and prevents the transmission of new infections. Further, data modeling shows that achieving viral suppression among people living with HIV is the single most effective strategy for reducing new infections and ending the epidemic in the United States.

The National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) sets our target for increasing the percentage of persons diagnosed with HIV who are virally suppressed to at least 80% by 2020. The NHAS target for viral suppression is consistent with the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets  for 2020 which strive for 90% of people living with HIV around the world knowing their status, 90% of people living with HIV who know their status receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 90% of people living with HIV who know their status and receiving ART being virally suppressed. If you do the math…

 

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NAESM, Inc. Announces Youth Scholars Institute during 15th Annual National African American MSM Leadership Conference on HIV/AIDS and other Health Disparities! Deadline is November 17th!

Atlanta, GA – NAESM, Inc. announces the third annual Build-a-Brother Youth Scholars Institute (BABI). BABI begins with a four-day peer-led training institute for young Black gay men at the 15th Annual National African American MSM Leadership Conference on HIV/AIDS and other Health Disparities. The selected cohort will also attend a second round of trainings to further develop their knowledge and skills. In between both conferences, participants will have the opportunity to work with a mentor to design and implement a community project.

Applications for the third Youth Scholars cohort are open until November 17th at 11:59 PM EST and can be completed HERE. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 to 29, live in the southern region of the United States, and have experience serving their community.

“I am excited to again provide this great opportunity. BABI will allow us to sharpen the next generation of young Black gay and bisexual men,” said Darwin Thompson, Executive Director of NAESM, Inc. “NAESM hopes to continue this fight within the HIV epidemic by building new leaders and creating a new opportunity for work that focuses specifically on young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM).”

Twenty youth scholars will be selected to participate in the program. Scholarships will cover hotel and transportation for both training periods. The institute will develop the participants in the areas of professional growth, leadership skills, grant writing, biomedical interventions (PrEP, PEP, and Treatment as Prevention), current epidemiology, social marketing, and personal branding. In addition to these training sessions, scholars will receive special presentations from speakers from the conference to discuss how their work relates to the lives of YBMSM.

Quick Facts:
Applications: Now Open
Deadline: November 17th at 11:59 PM EST
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Application Site: https://naesm.wufoo.com/forms/z8s5hrm120k7aa/

NAESM Youth Scholars Track

Purpose: With the increasing demand for professional and leadership development around the lives of Young Black Men who have Sex with Men (YBMSM), NAESM, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia is introducing its third annual, Build-a-Brother Youth Scholars Institute track at the 15th annual National African American MSM Leadership Conference on HIV and other Health Disparities. This unique track will bring together 20 YBMSM from the southern region of the United States to be trained in professional and leadership development to strengthen their skills around decreasing HIV and other health disparities in their communities.

Process: 20 YBMSM will be selected as 2018 Youth Scholars, who will experience their own track at the National African American MSM Leadership Conference on HIV and other Health Disparities. Scholars will attend additional 4-day training in the areas of professional development, leadership development, grant writing, biomedical interventions (PrEP, PEP, and Treatment as Prevention), current epidemiology, social marketing, and personal branding. In addition to these training sessions, scholars will be receiving special presentations from speakers from the conference to discuss how their work is relevant to the lives of YBMSM. The scholars will then be tasked with creating their own personal statements, development plans for their ideas, and will propose an original idea of ways to enhance the lives of YBMSM. On the final day of the track, Youth Scholars will present their work and ideas to their peers.

Applications: The application process for the Youth Scholars will be open to applicants from the following Southern states: Delaware, Maryland, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina,   Virginia, West Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C.

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Durable End to the HIV/AIDS Pandemic Likely Will Require an HIV Vaccine

Despite remarkable gains in the treatment and prevention of HIV infection, development of an effective HIV vaccine likely will be necessary to achieve a durable end to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, according to a new commentary from Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.

Theoretically, effective global implementation of existing HIV treatment and prevention tools could end the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Antiretroviral therapy that suppresses HIV both benefits the health of those living with HIV and prevents viral transmission to their HIV-negative sexual partners. Additionally, strategies such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can effectively prevent HIV acquisition among people at high risk for infection.

(Full article)

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UCLA Receives $5 Million Grant for Sharing Research on AIDS and Substance Abuse

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded $5 million to researchers at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health to develop a resource and data center for millions of pieces of research, lab samples, statistics and other data aimed at boosting research into the effects of substance abuse on HIV/AIDS.

The five-year grant, called Collaborating Consortium of Cohorts Producing NIDA Opportunities, will connect groups of investigators with National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded research and data ranging from state-of-the-art bioinformatics to laboratory specimens, said Dr. Pamina Gorbach, professor of epidemiology at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and the principal investigator on the project.

Read the full story by clicking this link or visitng https://www.c3pno.org/

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Covered California Announces Lower Prices for Most Enrollees in 2018 as Open Enrollment Approaches

  • Open enrollment begins Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 31 — twice as long as the federal open-enrollment period.
  • New data on affordability shows that what 1.1 million subsidized consumers pay for their coverage will decrease by an average of 1.5 percent in 2018.
  • Consumers in the individual market who do not receive subsidies will pay an average of $115 per month less than in 2017 thanks to California’s healthy risk mix.
  • A $111 million investment in marketing and outreach includes new statewide multi-cultural, multi-lingual television ads delivering the message that “Life can change in an instant.”
  • Newly designed “responsive” website and provider search tools will make shopping easier than ever before.
  • Covered California will promote the beginning of open enrollment with a 22-stop bus tour visiting 19 cities throughout California, including locations where murals will be painted to attract attention to enrollment locations and promote health.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California will kick off open enrollment Wednesday with the launch of a new comprehensive marketing and outreach campaign as well as upgrades to the consumer shopping experience for those seeking health insurance.

“While we know there is confusion because of the uncertainty in Washington, we want people to know that Covered California is rock solid,” said Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California. “We’re offering stability, choice and affordable options in 2018 in the face of uncertainty in much of the country.”

Open enrollment is the one time of year when anyone who needs health insurance can enroll without needing to meet special qualifying conditions. Covered California’s open-enrollment period will continue for three months, while open enrollment in 42 other states will end on Dec. 15.

(Full article)

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HRSA awards $2.36 billion in grants to help Americans access HIV/AIDS care and medications

October 18, 2017 – The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced today approximately $2.36 billion in Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program grants awarded to cities, counties, states, and local community-based organizations in fiscal year (FY) 2017. This funding supports a comprehensive system of HIV primary medical care, medication, and essential support services to more than half a million people living with HIV in the United States.

“The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program plays a critical role in the United States’ public health response to HIV,” said HRSA Administrator George Sigounas, MS, Ph.D. “These grants will ensure that the most vulnerable Americans living with HIV/AIDS will have access to the necessary care and treatment needed to improve their health quality and medical outcomes.”

HRSA oversees the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, which is a patient-centered system that provides care and treatment services to low income people living with HIV to improve health outcomes and reduce HIV transmission among hard to reach populations. The program serves more than 50 percent of people living with diagnosed HIV infection in the United States.

(Full article)

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CHIPTS Welcomes New CAB Co-Chairs

October 13, 2017 – On Friday, we officially announced our newly appointed Co-Chairs for our Community Advisory Board (CAB)! Both Natalie Sanchez and Dahlia Ferlito bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and community perspective to the board.  The CHIPTS CAB has long been a place of collaboration and discussion between our researchers and the communities affected by HIV.  The goal of the advisory group is to ensure that the research, dissemination, and activities conducted by CHIPTS researchers are relevant and meaningful to the lives of the diverse communities they serve.

When asked about their vision for the CHIPTS CAB, Ferlito said, “I wish to continue the legacy of bridging innovative research and community stakeholders together for opportunities of vibrant discussion and creating linkages between academic research and communities most impacted by HIV. I  see HIV as a holistic health issue that will take thinking beyond biomedical and behavioral interventions, but also addressing systemic and structural factors that place certain communities at greater risk.”   Sanchez shared “I would like to work with the CAB to see ways in which we can encourage and support research that affirmatively recognizes different sexual orientations and incorporate gender, gender expression, and gender identity.”  In addition, both Sanchez and Ferlito want “to highlight the intersections of racism, classism, sexism, and ableism, as we discuss issues related to HIV research, prevention, and treatment.” The Co-Chairs were also interested in “looking at the widespread dissemination of research coming from CHIPTS and working with community members who could benefit from implementation and/or adaptation.”

We’re so excited and look forward to their leadership in the CHIPTS CAB!

For more information, you can read more about CAB here and get to know the members of the board here.

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