NIMH R21 Changes

NIMH is accepting R21 applications under an NIMH-specific R21 Program Announcement (PA-18-350) for receipt dates beginning February 16, 2018. Resubmissions of applications previously submitted under the NIH parent R21 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) may be submitted under PA-18-350.

Clinical Trials are not allowed under the NIMH R21 FOA. Applicants wishing to submit a mechanistic clinical trial R21 application should apply to the NIH Parent Clinical Trial R21 FOA (PA-18-344).

Applicants are encouraged to check the NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts and the NIMH Funding Opportunities website for additional future FOAs.

First date(s) that NIMH will accept applications under the new FOAs (PA-18-350 and PA-18-344):

  • February 16, 2018 for non-AIDS new applications
  • March 16, 2018 for non-AIDS resubmission or revision applications
  • May 7, 2018 for AIDS and AIDS-related applications

Last date(s) that NIMH will accept applications under the Parent R21 FOA (PA-16-161):

  • October 16, 2017 for non-AIDS new applications
  • November 16, 2017 for non-AIDS resubmission or revision applications
  • January 8, 2018 for AIDS and AIDS-related applications

(Full Announcement)

New Online Tool Helps PrEP Users Assess Marketplace Coverage Options

To help individuals using PrEP who are also seeking to get or renew coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace during the current open enrollment period, NASTAD recently launched PrEPcost.org . The site is an online health plan finder that helps PrEP users or navigators identify and compare access to PrEP in Marketplace coverage options.

PrEP, which is short for pre-exposure prophylaxis, is an HIV prevention method that involves people at very high risk for HIV infection taking medicine daily to lower their chances of getting infected. PrEP can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading throughout your body. It is highly effective for preventing HIV if used as prescribed. Read more about PrEP.

PrEPcost.org features information on plans available through the 2018….

(Full Article)

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)

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

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…

 

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.

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/

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.

Colloquium: “Keeping Patients with Immigration Concerns in HIV Care and Services”

October 12, 2017 – CHIPTS October installment of the Colloquia series focused on patients with immigration concerns (specifically the Latino community) who are living with HIV/AIDS and are at risk of falling out of care.

Tom Donohoe, MBA, presented on the relevancy of immigration concerns for patients living with HIV/AIDS while Alonso Bautista, MA, MFTI, examined the psychosocial stressors of being (or having loved ones who are) undocumented as well as especially those living with HIV in the current social climate. Ayako Miyashita, JD, closed the presentation by discussing the legalities associated with serving those with immigration concerns and the policies in place.

Download the flyer and slides below and check out the entire lecture on Youtube:

2017 October Colloquium Flyer
2017 October Colloquium Slides

CHIPTS hosts a monthly HIV Research and Community Colloquia Series in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV to highlight current issues and conversations surrounding HIV. Click here for past lectures and check out the events page for more information on future Colloquia presentations!

Stimulant Use: Harm Reduction, Treatment, and Future Directions Conference

September 25, 2017 – the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) hosted the “Stimulant Use: Harm Reduction, Treatment, and Future Directions” conference to engage participants in dialogue about stimulant use. Within the walls of the Japanese American National Museum in downtown Los Angeles, harm reduction providers, social service providers, researchers, policy makers, the LGBTQ community, and people who use stimulants explored the complexities of stimulant use through a series of panels.

CHIPTS Center Director and CBAM Executive Director, Dr. Steven Shoptaw PhD, gave the closing remarks at the conference after a day full of rich conversation surrounding stimulant use.

You can read more on the report here and download the full report of the conference here:  Stimulant Use: Harm Reduction, Treatment, and Future Directions Conference - Report