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

In September 2017, the Drug Policy Alliance organized a conference in Los Angeles in partnership with over a dozen organizations titled “Stimulant Use: Harm Reduction, Treatment, and Future Directions.” The conference aimed to bring much-needed attention to a large class of drugs that has received inconsistent attention from the media, harm reduction and treatment communities, researchers, and policymakers alike. Los Angeles was chosen for this conference due to its sustained and high prevalence of use of stimulants both historically and currently.

2016 HRSA Biennial Report

In 2016, HAB reviewed and updated its six strategic priorities. To highlight the innovative models of care that RWHAP recipients implement in communities across the country, HAB publishes a report every two years. These reports provide an update of RWHAP efforts to improve health outcomes for PLWH, showcase data on client demographics and services received, and document the successes and challenges of recipients. This report highlights the activities of six RWHAP recipients and illustrates how they are harnessing data to reduce disparities in HIV care and improve health outcomes for PLWH.

LA County HIV/AIDS Strategy for 2020 and Beyond

This is a strategy that calls on the vast, complex, and formidable private health care delivery system (e.g. health plans, hospitals, federally qualified health centers and community-based organizations) as equally as the publicly-operated hospitals, public health clinics, and comprehensive health centers that serve the residents of Los Angeles County. This is a strategy that responds to an appeal from the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV (Commission) and hundreds of active and passionate community providers and stakeholders for bold action and a clear vision for ending an epidemic that nears the start of its fifth decade. This is a strategy that introduces an unprecedented level of accountability, and a commitment to the public reporting and monitoring of key performance metrics.

The Williams Institute Report on Conversion Therapy and LGBT Youth

Executive Summary by the The Williams Institute that describes conversion therapy as a treatment grounded in the belief that being LGBT is abnormal. It is intended to change the sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression of LGBT people. Conversion therapy is practiced by some licensed professionals in the context of providing health care and by some clergy or other spiritual advisors in the context of religious practice. Efforts to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity are associated with poor mental health, including suicidality. To date, nine states, the District of Columbia, and 32 localities have banned health care professionals from using conversion therapy on youth.

HIV Prevention Study Does Not Confirm Tenofovir Gel Effectiveness – Press Release

The press release highlights a major study has shown that a vaginal gel containing the antiretroviral drug, tenofovir, was not effective in preventing HIV among a large, diverse population of young South African women. Findings of the study, known as FACTS 001, were reported at the annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Seattle, United States earlier today (Tuesday 24 February).

Next Generation Oral Preexposure Prophylaxis – Report

Clinical trials of oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have focused on regimens of tenofovir (TDF) with or without emtricitabine (FTC). However, TDF may be associated with toxicities (renal, bone), and FTC may select for drug resistance. Both are also first-line drugs for HIV treatment. In this review, we discuss agents that might serve as alternatives to TDF/FTC for HIV PrEP.