Spotlight on CHIPTS Policy Impact Core

The purpose of the Policy Impact Core is to translate CHIPTS research findings into policy impact. In our communities, there remain significant gaps between our targeted efforts around HIV, substance use and mental health and the outcomes. These gaps can be due to systemic inequities linked with these comorbidities. Barriers to healthcare access, including inadequate healthcare coverage, are just the first of many factors. Criminalization, discrimination, poverty, and houselessness affect the lived experiences of those most affected by HIV, and leveraging CHIPTS research to inform policies that target these systemic inequities is our goal. Recently our efforts have centered on the effects of criminalization and poverty on individuals at risk of HIV, as well as policies supporting innovative solutions to facilitate their access to health services.

Check out our snapshot below!

On criminalization, our policy brief, Services for Re-Entry Populations: Policy Evidence and Recommendations, we outline opportunities to address intertwining epidemics through identifying the needs of incarcerated populations during re-entry. In Health Outcomes Associated with Criminalization and Regulation of Sex Trade, we focus on the public health effects of implementing four different frameworks to addressing sex trade, including criminalization, the Nordic or End Demand model, regulating sex trade and decriminalization.

On poverty, we illustrate recent findings with an infographic, HIV Risk Reduction and Earned Income Tax Credit, which identifies how anti-poverty policy solutions can have a very real (and positive!) impact on HIV risk reduction.

On facilitating health access, we cover topics addressed in by recent legislation. Efforts to increase access to HIV, STI and substance use services include Zero-Cost Preventive Care for Californians and Extended Coverage for STI Screenings and Contingency Management strategies. We highlight basic concepts behind an oft-used term, Medical Mistrust.

To promote greater understanding of biomedical innovations and how they might be implemented in communities, we documented key findings from the HPTN 083 study and what we know about the safety and efficacy of injectable PrEP.  Our Executive Summary, Long-Acting Injectable Therapy for People with HIV, delivers key takeaways from our paper identifying lessons about long-acting injectable treatment in the substance use and mental health fields, two specialties with long histories of utilizing injectable medication. Our Associate Director Dr. Gabriel Edwards penned an article (en español) for lay audiences, summarizing the promise and challenge of injectable medication for HIV treatment and prevention.

As always, please visit the UCLA CHIPTS website for more resources and if you have any suggestions for future topics, please contact us!

Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2024

On March 10, CHIPTS will honor Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD), a day dedicated to highlighting the impact of HIV on women and girls and showing our support for those living with HIV. In honor of NWGHAAD, CHIPTS Community Advisory Board member and recently appointed Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) member Natalie Sanchez, MPH, shares a reflection on the impact of HIV among women and girls and her work to uplift and address their needs.

March 10th marks Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a critical reminder of the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS among women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in 2021, women accounted for 18% of new HIV diagnoses in the United States. Specifically, Los Angeles County witnessed 162 new HIV infections among women that year. HIV was primarily transmitted through heterosexual contact (67%), though injection drug use was the transmission route for 33% of new infections — an alarming trend on the rise.

One of the foremost barriers in combating HIV among cisgender women is that HIV prevention and treatment strategies largely target cisgender men and transgender women. This fosters a dangerous misconception, both within the healthcare system and among cisgender women, that HIV does not concern women’s health. Such misunderstandings significantly heighten women’s vulnerability to HIV. Compounded with cultural norms, gender roles, stigma, and discrimination, women and girls are often discouraged from undergoing HIV testing or seeking PrEP for HIV prevention.

As Director of the UCLA Los Angeles Family AIDS Network (LAFAN), my aim has been to cultivate a supportive community for women living with HIV, ensuring they never feel isolated. We strive to create an environment that bolsters self-worth and encourages women to acknowledge and prioritize their health, including consistent HIV medical care. We also create space for family events, understanding that a first step for engaging women often requires engaging the family. We work with them to ensure they know that there is space for family, but just as important, that there is space for themselves. Tackling gender health disparities necessitates confronting the root social and economic inequalities. Only through such holistic approaches can we aspire to make substantial strides in the HIV fight for all impacted groups.

Our innovative bilingual docuseries podcast, Confessions: HIV+ Women, is a testament to these efforts. Developed in partnership with the LA Women’s HIV Task Force and Women Together, the podcast aims to amplify the voices and stories of women living with HIV, enhancing their visibility both online and publicly. Launched on National Latinx HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in 2023, it serves as a potent tool for cultural engagement by sharing Latina women’s experiences, covering topics like shame, stigma, and resilience. The podcast has offered participants a transformative experience —helping them evolve from feeling weighed down by their diagnosis to embracing a new, empowered identity.

In recognition of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we are excited to announce the release of Season 2 of the Confessions podcast, which will spotlight the stories of Black women with HIV. This is crucial, as Black/African American women face a disproportionately high risk of dying from HIV infection compared to their white counterparts. The podcast also addresses the impacts of racism, discrimination, and mistrust in the healthcare system.

Traditional support groups have been a cornerstone of UCLA LAFAN for providing social and emotional support to women living with HIV. However, barriers such as group availability, transportation, confidentiality concerns, and stigma prevent many from accessing these resources. Our podcast offers an alternative support mechanism, fostering empowerment and connection among women and ensuring they never feel alone. We are committed to expanding our efforts in engaging women and girls in HIV prevention and treatment, continually seeking innovative ways to support and uplift them.

HIV Is Not A Crime Awareness Day 2024

February 28, 2024 — Today marks the third annual HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day. The Sero Project, in collaboration with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, first observed this day in 2022 to spread awareness about outdated HIV-related laws and invite communities to unite against HIV criminalization. This year’s HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day theme is “You care about ending HIV criminalization. You just don’t know it yet.” 

In honor of HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day, we are highlighting a valuable discussion between CHIPTS Policy Core Co-Director Ayako Miyashita Ochoa, JD, and Nathan Cisneros, HIV Criminalization Analyst at the UCLA Williams Institute. As part of this discussion, Nathan shared his reflections on the awareness day and insights from his work analyzing HIV criminalization trends across the U.S. Read here.

To learn more about HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day and how to get involved, check out the important information and resources below, provided by HIV.gov:

Why Is It So Hard to Get People Housed in Los Angeles County? Series Recap

The CHIPTS Combination Prevention Core recently hosted a three-session virtual series titled “Why Is It So Hard to Get People Housed in Los Angeles County?” to address the housing crisis and its intersection with the HIV epidemic in Los Angeles (LA) County. Throughout the series, expert panelists were invited to share insights and engage participants in discussion on the current housing climate in LA County, harm reduction services, and housing policies that impact the unhoused.

The Combination Prevention Core aimed to feature a diverse set of panelists who represented government, community-based organization, and service provider perspectives to introduce different approaches, policies, and practices related to housing. Across the three sessions, 10 expert panelists and approximately 350 attendees participated, including social services providers, HIV providers, mental health and substance use providers, academic researchers, and others interested in addressing housing in LA County. Learn more about each session and access the session recordings below.

Session 1: November 17, 2022 – Specific Challenges for Those Living with HIV and/or Substance Use and/or Mental Health Disorders

The objectives of this session were to: 1) provide an overview of the current housing system in LA County, (2) understand the challenges that exacerbate the housing crisis particularly among individuals living with HIV and/or substance use and/or mental health disorders, and (3) examine opportunities and current best practices for addressing the housing crisis.

Featured panelists included:

  • Adam Murray, MA, JD, Chief Executive Officer, Inner City Law Center
  • Stacie Washington, MA, MFT, Program Director, The Salvation Army-California South Division
  • Victor Hinderliter, Director of Street Based Engagement and Mobile Clinics, Housing for Health / Rancho Los Amigos, LA County Department of Health Services

View recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4PUSXEztOk

 

Session 2: June 14, 2023 – Exploring Harm Reduction Strategies for Those Experiencing Homelessness and Living with HIV and/or Substance Use and/or Mental Health Disorders

The objectives of this session were to: (1) provide an overview of the current harm reduction services in Los Angeles County, (2) better understand the challenges of those experiencing homelessness and living with HIV and/or substance use and/or mental health disorders, and (3) share best practices and innovative harm reduction service delivery options and opportunities for implementation.

Featured panelists included:

  • Elham Jalayer, BS, Harm Reduction Program Manager, Bienestar Human Services
  • Ricky Rosales, AIDS Coordinator, City of Los Angeles Department on Disability
  • Soma Snakeoil, Executive Director/Cofounder, The Sidewalk Project

View recording: https://youtu.be/ncT1JGRFcEc   

 

Session 3: February 7, 2024 – Innovative Housing Policies and Best Practices

The objectives of this session were to: (1) provide an overview of the current housing policies in Los Angeles County and other cities, (2) understand the major policy obstacles to getting people housed, and (3) share innovative policy changes that have improved access to housing and highlight best practices from various jurisdictions.

Featured panelists included:

  • Aileen Reynolds, BS, Assistant Commissioner of Housing Opportunity, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development
  • Annetta Wells, BA, Senior Director, Inside Safe, Los Angeles Mayor’s Office
  • Jane Hamilton, PhD, MPH, LCSW-S, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, McGovern Medical School
  • Lisa Daugaard, JD, Co-Executive Director, Purpose Dignity Action (PDA)

View recording: https://youtu.be/rM_U32t_6yg  

Seeking Input on the Next NIH Strategic Plan for HIV and HIV-Related Research

This content originally appeared on NIH OAR. View the full article here.

The NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) leads the effort across NIH to establish HIV research priorities and develop the NIH Strategic Plan for HIV and HIV-Related Research. This plan guides the largest public investment in HIV research, building on scientific progress and opportunities for advancing research to end to the HIV pandemic.

As part of the process, OAR seeks input from all interested constituents, including, but not limited to, researchers, health care professionals, advocates and health advocacy organizations, scientific or professional organizations, public health officials, government agencies, and community members.

OAR has issued a Request for Information (RFI) as one source of input to inform development of the FY 2026‒2030 NIH Strategic Plan for HIV and HIV-Related Research. 

OAR plans to adopt a new framework for the next plan that consists of four strategic goals:

  • Enhance discovery and advance HIV science through fundamental research.
  • Advance the development and assessment of novel interventions for HIV prevention, treatment, and cure.
  • Optimize public health impact of HIV discoveries through translation, dissemination, and implementation of research findings.
  • Build research workforce and infrastructure capacity to enhance sustainability of HIV scientific discovery.

Respondents are invited to propose research priorities within each goal and provide additional feedback on the new framework.

Click here to view additional details, and submit your feedback until March 28, 2024.

2024 HIV Next Generation Conference Recap

The 2024 CHIPTS HIV Next Generation Conference welcomed over 130 attendees from academic institutions, community-based organizations, health care institutions, and other organizations working to end the HIV epidemic at the UCLA Covel Commons on Friday, January 26, 2024. The conference included engaging oral and poster presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities to support the next generation of HIV researchers and service providers.

CHIPTS Development Core Co-Director Dallas Swendeman, PhD, MPH, facilitated this year’s conference and provided a warm welcome to participants. CHIPTS Director Steve Shoptaw, PhD, then shared opening remarks to lay the foundation for an exciting conference, echoing the conference theme by highlighting the importance of developing and scaling up innovative interventions to prevent HIV. Abenaa Jones, PhD, assistant professor at Pennsylvania State University, offered an engaging and insightful opening plenary that explored the syndemic of substance use, HIV, and violence among women involved in the criminal justice system. As part of her presentation, Dr. Jones discussed the development of an all-female, trauma-informed intervention to reduce the incidence and adverse effects of these syndemic issues.

Throughout the day, there were three sets of oral presentations with panel discussions. The first set was moderated by CHIPTS Policy Impact Core Director Nina Harawa, PhD, MPH, and centered on social determinants and HIV. The second set of oral presentations was moderated by CHIPTS Combination Prevention Core Scientist Jesse Clark, MD, and focused on HIV and other health needs. CHIPTS Combination Prevention Core Scientist Ron Brooks, PhD, moderated the last set focused on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation. The conference also featured a fantastic group of poster presentations highlighting innovative research and evaluation projects to support efforts to end the HIV epidemic.

CHIPTS Development Core Director Norweeta Milburn, PhD, presented the 2024 William E. Cunningham Scholar Award to Danielle Campbell, MPH, a dedicated community organizer and accomplished doctoral student at UC San Diego. Best innovative oral and poster awards were presented to the projects, The Chicago Study for HIV Prevention in Psychiatry: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Knowledge, Perceived Barriers to Implementation, and Training Needs to Support Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Prescription by Psychiatrists, and the Pilot Results of Sibling-based Intervention to Promote PrEP to Latinx Sexual Minority Men (poster 3) respectively. To close the conference, Dr. Milburn offered congratulations to the tremendous presenters this year and encouraged participants to continue their commitment to new ideas and collaborations as we work together to end the HIV epidemic.

A complete list of oral presentations, slides, and photo highlights from the conference are provided below.

Check out our photo gallery of the conference on our Facebook page: http://tinyurl.com/24n6cce9 

Opening Plenary:

Abenaa A. Jones, PhD, Ann Atherton Hertzler Early Career Professor in Health and Human Development, Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Presentation Title: Developing Comprehensive Interventions to Address the Syndemic of HIV, Substance Use Disorders, and Violence Among Women Involved in the Criminal Justice System

Presentation Summary: Substance use, HIV and associated risk behaviors, and experiences of violence are prevalent and often inextricably linked among women who use drugs, particularly those involved in the criminal justice system. The presentation will explore the syndemic of substance use, HIV, and violence, along with the development of an all-female and trauma-informed intervention to reduce the incidence and adverse effects of these syndemic issues.

 

Oral Panel 1 – Social Determinants and HIV:

1. Toluwani Adekunle, PhD, Assistant Professor of Public Health, Calvin University (2nd from left)

Presentation Title: A qualitative study of Black and Latine HIV care consumers’ perceptions of providers’ behaviors, medical mistrust, and experiences of discrimination

Presentation Summary: The presentation highlights the experiences of Black and Latine HIV care consumers that foster medical mistrust. These are experiences as pertaining to care consumers’ perceptions of healthcare provider behaviors that invoked feelings of stigma/discrimination, thereby influencing care consumers’ levels of trust and mistrust.

2. Taj Morgan, MPH, Amp Program Manager, Sentient Research (3rd from left)

Presentation Title: Amp: Developing a mobile app using human-centered design to improve the health and well-being of young Black men living with HIV

Presentation Summary: This presentation will describe how we used human-centered design to develop an innovative mobile app to improve HIV care continuum outcomes and overall well-being among young Black gay and bisexual men living with HIV. This process, which involved co-creating the app with end users and HIV service providers, resulted in a program with high feasibility, acceptability, and likely uptake.

3. Lauren Mungo, BS, Pre-Medical Student, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (4th from left)

Presentation Title: Exploring self-management strategies among young adults with recent criminal justice experience to improve ART adherence

Presentation Summary: This presentation will discuss a qualitative analysis within the LINK2 study intervention trial regarding the various barriers preventing ART adherence in a population of young adults who have recent criminal justice experience. It will evaluate the effects of self-management strategies in alleviating the daily barriers participants face in taking their medication and its role in fostering positive behaviors that assist in increasing adherence.

 

Oral Panel 2 – HIV and Other Health Needs:

1. Izzy Chiu, BA, Graduate Student, UCLA Department of Epidemiology and Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco Department of Public Health (2nd from left)

Presentation Title: HIV and hepatitis C virus infection and co-infection among trans women in San Francisco, 2020

Presentation Summary: Trans women experience a high burden of HIV and are at high risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV). The interaction between these two diseases and the behavioral risks for HIV/HCV co-infection among trans women are understudied. We present the results of an analysis of HIV and HCV serological and behavioral data collected among trans women in San Francisco from 2019 to 2020 as part of the CDC’s first National HIV Behavioral Surveillance survey for trans women.

2. Khadesia Howell, MPH, MPhil, Graduate Student, RAND Corporation and APLA Health (3rd from left)

Presentation Title: A ‘Think Aloud’ Qualitative Study to Understand Intersectional Stigma and Discrimination Among Black Sexual Minority Men (SMM)

Presentation Summary: This study’s aim is to better understand intersectional stigma and discrimination and its effects on mental health, as well as to improve intersectional stigma assessment tools. It is a qualitative study executed by doing in-depth semi-structured interviews as a way for Black SMM to ‘think aloud’ and tell their stories and experiences. From this we were able to better understand how this marginalized group responds to stigma and discrimination and how they interact with intersectional stigma assessment tools.

3. Lynn Nguyen, BA, Medical Student, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences (4th from left)

Presentation Title: Unraveling Reproductive and Maternal Health Challenges of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Vietnam: A Qualitative Study

Presentation Summary: Women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) have the additional and unique need to seek sexual and reproductive health services. WLHA’s maternal health journeys can be shaped by the cultural norms and resources that exist in their society. This study sought to understand if and how WLHA’s family planning, pregnancy, and motherhood experiences could be influenced by the patriarchal culture, gender roles, and HIV stigma in Vietnam, specifically.

 

Oral Panel 3 – PrEP Implementation:

1. Mark Erwin, BA, Director – Strategy, Center for Health Empowerment

Presentation Title: Comparing PrEP retention and prevalent inequities among in clinic and telehealth modalities in Texas

Presentation Summary: Telehealth is often touted as a solution to overcome several PrEP barriers. We explore how PrEP retention compared for clients who accessed it via Telehealth versus In clinic clients. Further, we examined inequities in each group and then compared those inequities with each other.

2. Samuel Bunting, MD, Resident Physician, University of Chicago, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience

Presentation Title: The Chicago Study for HIV Prevention in Psychiatry: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Knowledge, Perceived Barriers to Implementation, and Training Needs to Support Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Prescription by Psychiatrists

Presentation Summary: Patients living with mental illnesses experience disproportionately high HIV incidence and prevalence, while simultaneously experiencing numerous barriers to care. We conducted a mixed-methods, pilot study of psychiatrists practicing in the EHE priority jurisdictions about integrating PrEP into psychiatric care given the role as primary points of contact with the healthcare system for people with mental illnesses and HIV risk-factors. Psychiatrists practicing in high-HIV incidence areas were largely interested in prescribing PrEP but need additional training with a specific focus on practical management and integration with existing clinical workflows.

3. Naira Setrakian, MPH, PhD Student, UCLA FSPH Department of Epidemiology

Presentation Title: Making the Switch: Impact of changing PrEP regimens on retention among Men who have Sex with Men in Hanoi, Vietnam

Presentation Summary: This presentation will describe patterns of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use and switching between event-driven PrEP and daily PrEP regimens in a population of men who have sex (MSM) in Hanoi, Vietnam. Data from a large PrEP clinic at Hanoi Medical University show that switching PrEP regimens is common and results in longer periods of PrEP use.

2024 National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

January 31, 2024 – On February 7, CHIPTS will join partners across the U.S. in observing National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), a day to acknowledge how HIV disproportionately affects Black people and recognize the significant progress made by Black communities towards reducing HIV.

NBHAAD encourages us to reflect on the impact racism, discrimination, and mistrust within the health care system have on engagement in HIV treatment and care among Black Americans. These experiences can also discourage open conversations with providers and among sex partners about important topics like HIV status and testing. We must work together to address these and other systemic barriers to HIV services impacting Black communities.

HIV.gov outlined a collective path towards progress with this year’s NBHAAD theme: “Engage, Educate, Empower: Uniting to End HIV/AIDS in Black Communities.”

  • Engage: Discussing ways to better involve the black community in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment efforts. This can include outreach programs, community partnerships, and utilizing local leaders and influencers to promote HIV testing and destigmatize the conversation around HIV/AIDS.
  • Educate: Focusing on improving HIV/AIDS education among black youth and adults. This could cover the latest research, treatment options, understanding of PrEP and PEP medications, and debunking myths that contribute to stigma and discrimination.
  • Empower: Highlighting success stories and strategies that have effectively empowered black individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Empowerment can be through advocacy, policy change, access to care, and support systems.

As an AIDS Research Center dedicated to reducing health disparities, CHIPTS is also excited to share recent research from our Center scientists that can inform community and public health efforts to improve outcomes for Black Americans across the HIV prevention and care continua.

HHS EHE Leaders Reflect on 2023 and Look Ahead to 2024

This content originally appeared on HIV.gov. View the full article here.

As the new year began, HIV.gov asked HHS leaders and others to reflect on the progress achieved by the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative and to look ahead to what 2024 will bring. Here’s what they shared (in alpha order by affiliation):

CDC

“The HIV community should be proud that incidence is down by 12% over the past few years, resulting in thousands of fewer people having HIV. PrEP use has increased, now reaching about a third of people who are eligible but associated with widening disparities in access. CDC continues to expand PrEP use in communities, including by increasing funding for STI and other clinics to deliver PrEP as part of comprehensive sexual health services and expanding campaigns that reach Black women. The campaign, #ShesWell, showed increases in a range of outcomes, including PrEP knowledge and awareness among women and providers. In 2024, we will strengthen partnerships to use innovative whole-person approaches that address factors causing health inequities and ensure powerful HIV prevention tools get into the hands of every person who needs them.”

 —RADM Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH, Director,
National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC

HRSA

“It has been exciting to see a year of progress in our HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. initiative efforts with over 37,000 people with HIV newly engaged or estimated to be re-engaged in HIV care and treatment. In 2024, I look forward to continuing expanding efforts to ensure people with HIV have the care and treatment services they need to stay in care and reach viral suppression.”

—Laura Cheever, MD, ScM,
Associate Administrator for the HIV/AIDS Bureau, HRSA

“In 2023, we honored eight health centers that received EHE Primary Care HIV Prevention funding with the HIV Prevention and Care National Quality Leader badge as a way to celebrate their successful efforts to expand access to HIV services in their community. We look forward to supporting health centers in 2024 as they continue providing critical HIV prevention and treatment services for health center patients.”

—Jim Macrae, MA, MPP,
Associate Administrator for the Bureau of Primary Health Care, HRSA

IHS

“The Indian Health Service has many things for which to be grateful in 2023. I’m most proud of our shared IHS, tribal, and urban Indian health EHE accomplishment, which includes serving over 900 patients—over half of the American Indian and Alaska Native persons living with HIV nationwide. Also, through our tribal partners, via Indian County ECHOExit Disclaimer, we conducted 26 ECHO clinics each month, recruited over 1,412 clinical sites, provided treatment recommendations for 1,600 patients, hosted 40 virtual and in-person trainings, trained over 2,749 providers from Indian Country, and supported 824 virtual ECHO sessions with approximately 40,188 total participants. In 2024, I look forward to advancing EHE through training dozens of AI/AN HIV Peer Educators to help navigate HIV care, PrEP services, and syphilis testing and care.”

 —Rick Haverkate, MPH, Branch Chief, HIV/HCV/STI Branch,
Office of Clinical & Preventive Services, IHS

NIH

“Under EHE, NIH supports research to identify and address barriers to uptake of HIV testing, prevention and treatment services, with a goal of enabling equitable health outcomes in the communities most affected by HIV today. A key strength of this work is our strong collaborations between academic researchers, implementing partners, and community members, which result in locally led design and implementation of interventions that are practical, evidence-based, and desired by those who stand to benefit most from them. We will continue to share key findings with our federal partners so that EHE keeps growing even more inclusive, effective, and sustainable.”

—Carl Dieffenbach, PhD, Director, Division of AIDS,
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH

OIDP/OASH

“In the last year, I was proud of the enhanced coordination and collaboration of the EHE initiative at the national, regional, state, and local levels to facilitate a syndemic and holistic response for communities disproportionately impacted with HIV. In 2024, I look forward to advancing EHE by strengthening strategic partnerships with the community to implement and expand innovations to mitigate health disparities and address inequities in health outcomes for priority communities.”

—CAPT John Oguntomilade, PhD, EHE Coordination Lead,
Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy, HHS

PACHA

The co-chairs of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) also shared their observations:

“There have been monumental successes over the last year with the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative in some geographic areas across the United States. Our challenge ahead is to ensure these same successes happen for all people in all communities.”

—Marlene McNeese, Co-chair, PACHA

“This past year, I was proud of the overall progress our nation continues to make in reducing the number of new HIV infections. In 2024, I look forward to advancing EHE through ensuring no individual, group, or community is left behind and that our HIV prevention and treatment national progress becomes more equitable.”

—Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, PhD, MPH, RN, Co-chair, PACHA

The EHE initiative continues to support innovative approaches to expanding HIV awareness, testing, prevention, and care and treatment in the communities most affected. With the continued dedication and support of local, state, and federal partners further progress toward the goal of ending the HIV epidemic in the United States can be achieved in 2024.

Read more about the EHE initiative on HIV.gov.

Annual Reflections: Most Popular CHIPTS Content Of 2023

Throughout 2023, CHIPTS has used our website and social media accounts to disseminate the latest developments in HIV research, enriching learning opportunities, Center news, and more. As we near the end of the year, CHIPTS has taken the opportunity to reflect on the content we shared that sparked the most engagement from our community. We invite you to check out some of our most popular content from 2023 as we prepare to continue our collective work to end the HIV epidemic in 2024. From all of us at CHIPTS, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season and a joyous new year!

WEBSITE

In 2023, the CHIPTS website featured nearly 40 blog posts on the latest Center news as well as local, state, and national news from our research and public health partners. Our most popular blog topics included:

  • Addressing Stigma and Unique Health Needs of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Vietnam (Read here)
  • New Infographic: NIH Manuscript Submission (NIHMS) Process (Read here)
  • NIH grants support UCLA and Charles Drew University researchers’ efforts to end HIV epidemic (Read here)
  • Spotlight on CHIPTS Global HIV Lectures (Read here)
  • mSTUDY Overview, Findings, and Info-Sheet (Read here)

The resource library housed on the CHIPTS website includes a wide range of downloadable materials to support HIV researchers and community partners, from assessment tools to research project reports to policy briefs. Check out our most popular downloads of 2023 below:

  • Challenges of Researching Latina/os and Community-based Participatory Research Approach as a Response to Those Challenges – Slides (Download here)
  • NIH Public Access Policy (2023) – Infographic (Download here)
  • Zero-Cost Preventive Care for Californians and Extended Coverage for STI Screenings – Infographic (Download here)
  • Accessing LAI PrEP in LA County: Where We Are and Where We Need to Go – Slides (Download here)
  • Implementing LAI PrEP with Black and Latino/a MSM and Transgender Women (BLMSM/TW): Practical and Cultural Considerations – Slides (Download here)

SOCIAL MEDIA

CHIPTS had an active presence across our social media platforms in 2023, sharing relevant content with local, national, and global partners. Here is some of our most popular content posted on TwitterFacebook, and YouTube in 2023:

Twitter:  

  • Join the UCLA 3R Implementation Science Hub on an upcoming methods workshop on December 21, 2023, at 9AM PT! This workshop will feature Drs. @erin_finley and @Alisonh3 who… (View here)
  • Join us for an upcoming #impsci Beachside Chat on February 1, at 9AM PT! Hosted by @Alisonh3, the Chat will engage in dialogue with leading implementation science experts about their current… (View here)
  • CHIPTS very own Policy Core Co-Director, Dr. Ayako Miyashita Ochoa will be presenting a virtual workshop sponsored by the UCLA-CDU CFAR on October 19, 2023, at 12PM PT! Learn about (View here)
  • Join our upcoming workshop entitled “Accessing LAI PrEP in LA County: Where We Are and Where We Need to Go,” on May 2, 2023, at 10 AM PT! This workshop will cover how and where… (View here)
  • CHIPTS’ very own Center Director Dr. Steve Shoptaw presented an impactful keynote presentation at today’s 39th Annual UCLA Multi-Campus Family Medicine Research Day!… (View here)

Facebook:

  • UCLA CTSI is hosting an upcoming (hybrid) seminar featuring CHIPTS Policy Core Director Dr. Nina Harawa on Wednesday, January 18th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm PT! The seminar is in-person at the NRB Auditorium… (View here)
  • CHIPTS hosted a Strategic Launch Meeting at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center on June 1, 2023, to discuss innovative ideas and explore opportunities to support our Center goals. Check out some of the pictures… (View here)
  • Drs. Li Li and Michael Li just returned from presenting at the “Innovations to Improve Substance Use Interventions in Vietnam” scientific symposium at Hanoi Medical University. Congratulations to… (View here)
  • Members of our CHIPTS team were delighted to participate in yesterday’s 1st Annual Community Partnered Participatory Research Summer Institute hosted by the UCLA-CDU CFAR! Our own Drs. Nina Harawa… (View here)
  • CONGRATULATIONS! To CHIPTS very own Center Co-Director Dr. Raphael Landovitz for receiving the 2023 Ward Cates Spirit Award. Each year, the HPTN recognizes a member who exemplifies… (View here)

YouTube:

  • Towards a COVID-19 Vaccine to Protect Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Animal Sarbecoviruses (Watch here)
  • Social Misery and HIV Risk Among People Who Use Drugs (Watch here)
  • In Case You Missed It: Key Highlights from CROI 2023 (Watch here)
  • SARS-CoV-2 Variants Evolve Convergent Strategies to Remodel the Host Response (Watch here)
  • Implementing LAI PrEP with Black/Latino MSM and Trans Women: Practical and Cultural Considerations (Watch here)

We look forward to bringing more relevant, engaging content to the CHIPTS community in 2024.

NIH HIV Research Helps Advance National HIV/AIDS Strategy

This content originally appeared on NIH OAR. View the full article here.

World AIDS Day provides an annual opportunity to unite global efforts to end the HIV pandemic, show support for people with HIV, and remember those we have lost to the pandemic. This year, the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) marked the World AIDS Day observance with the release of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy 2023 Interim Action Report.

The report details progress toward meeting the goals of the current National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States 2022-2025 (NHAS), which was released by President Biden on World AIDS Day in 2021 and provides a roadmap for the nation to accelerate efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the United States. The new NHAS 2023 Interim Action Report outlines key activities undertaken by federal agencies and highlights the critical role of ongoing research as part of the strategy to end the HIV epidemic in the United States by 2030.

The report emphasizes the incredible amount of work that is taking place across the federal government to address HIV, but also details how much lies ahead. Indeed, transformational research advances in HIV prevention and treatment have marked some of the most significant accomplishments in science and public health. But this progress is not reaching all communities equally. Staggering health disparities place a disproportionate impact of HIV on minoritized racial and ethnic groups and diverse sexual and gender populations. As the report outlines, future HIV research must address these issues to ensure all communities have equitable access to effective, evidence-based HIV testing, prevention, treatment, and care services.

Below are highlights from the report that underscore how the NIH HIV research program contributes to the national strategy to end the HIV epidemic. I look forward to building on these successes to ensure no community is left behind.

  • Ongoing NIH-funded research continues to lead to results that are improving the lives of people with HIV. Earlier this year, results from the NIH-supported REPRIEVE trial showed that statins can reduce major cardiovascular events by more than one-third in people with HIV. Statin use was associated with a 20 percent reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events and premature deaths. As a result, the findings are expected to directly influence clinical guidelines and standards of care for an aging population of people with HIV and add to the growing literature that demonstrates that people with HIV experience higher cardiovascular risk than the general population.
  • The NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) HIV and Aging Signature Program, launched in 2022, catalyzes interdisciplinary research and training to meet the increasing health needs of people aging with HIV. In fiscal year (FY) 2022, NIH provided support for nearly 340 research projects related to HIV and aging. In addition, a virtual NIH workshop in September 2023 and a follow-up panel discussion at the 2023 U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS surveyed the landscape of current research at the intersection of HIV and aging and explored how federal agencies, researchers, health providers, the HIV community, and advocates can work together to prioritize research to improve the lives of people aging with HIV.
  • In FY22, NIH supported 69 early stage investigators studying HIV, an 8 percent increase over FY21. The OAR Early Career Investigator Signature Program aims to improve outreach to the next generation of HIV investigators and increase training and capacity-building programs. The OAR Workshop for Early Career Investigators in HIV, held in April 2023, drew more than 500 attendees to facilitate networking and share information about the NIH HIV research funding process.
  • NIH supports research to address stigma and discrimination that exacerbates HIV-related disparities and inequities. The NIH Stigma and Discrimination Research toolkit provides resources for researchers, partner federal agencies, community groups, and other partners to help integrate stigma research into policy and programs. In addition, NIH established a Stigma Working Group, with representation from across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, focused on stigma and discrimination research with particular attention on HIV-related intersectional stigma.
  • NIH supports syndemics research to investigate interactions between epidemics and the social and structural determinants of health. This research seeks to understand the complex interactions between behavioral, economic, and environmental factors that influence the HIV epidemic. In FY22, NIH sponsored a supplement in the American Journal of Public Health on the importance of addressing intersectional HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
  • NIH works with other federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), in the Interagency Federal Implementation Science Workgroup to coordinate research and program activities, determine priorities for NIH-funded research related to the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative, and collaborate to address critical gaps in order to meet evolving and urgent needs in communities. Several agencies participated in an NIH-hosted national EHE meeting in September 2022 to share best practices and research findings.
  • Implementation research is critical to prevent new HIV infections and improve health outcomes among people with HIV. NIH supports implementation research projects to develop strategies that translate evidence-based interventions into real-world settings to maximize HIV testing and linkage to care, initiate treatment as early as possible, and improve treatment adherence and retention. In FY22, NIH supported more than 370 implementation research projects totaling $160 million in funding, a 26 percent increase in funding over FY21.

As I reflect on the tremendous progress in HIV research, I have hope that, with continued commitment and partnerships among the federal government, researchers, and community, we will reach the finish line to achieve the domestic goals established in our national strategy to help end the global HIV pandemic.

Watch the on-demand NIH VideoCast of the NIH World AIDS Day 35 Event: Achieving Excellence and Equity in HIV Research to learn more about how the NIH HIV research program is addressing HIV-related inequities. To learn more about recent advances in HIV research, read the NIH World AIDS Day