This presentation will focus on the science of prevention, emphasizing youth risk behavior. Dr. Skeer will present research on adolescent substance use prevention strategies, with a focus on family engagement, communication, and family meals. She will share insights on using substance use as a lens for HIV prevention, highlighting opportunities for integrated approaches.
Peter W. Hunt, M.D will review the evidence supporting a potential role of asymptomatic CMV co-infection as a driver of persistent immune dysfunction and morbidity and mortality in people treated with HIV. He will also describe exciting results from a recent clinical trial of letermovir supporting a causal role of CMV in these processes as well as functional aging outcomes in this setting.
Karine Dubé, DrPH, MPhil discussed recent advancements and findings in the socio-behavioral and human aspects of novel HIV and HBV therapeutics, and collaborative work between UCSD and UCLA.
HIV-1 has evolved to be uniquely resistant to antibody neutralization, such that antibody responses fail to clear or control the virus. Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) limits HIV reservoir size and diversity and preserves immunity. We characterized the impact of acute and early ART initiation on the development of HIV-specific antibody responses. We found that acute ART initiation (prior to 60 days) prevented autologous neutralizing antibodies from developing before or on ART.
This presentation is on the Howard University’s differentiated service delivery (DSD-Plus) model which is an innovative approach that seeks to contribute to the national 2030 HIV epidemic control in Zambia. The DSD-Plus model is a treatment quality assurance program that ensures adherence, continuity in care(retention), viral load suppression and transition for sustainability. Through such interventions, Zambia is among the six countries to have reached the UNAIDS95-95-95 targets for 2025.
In this presentation, Dr. Barrington will first provide a summary of the context of HIV prevention and care for transgender women in the Dominican Republic. She will then describe her collaborative mixed methods research process to develop and test an intervention to improve HIV care and treatment outcomes and promote overall wellbeing among transwomen with HIV in Santo Domingo.
We model longitudinal trends in viral suppression before and after the transition to telehealth services during COVID-19 pandemic. The expected probability of viral suppression was not negatively impacted by tele-health adoption.
Panel will discuss the potential impact of California ballot propositions that passed and did not pass on the well-being of individuals and communities that are affected by HIV, with a focus on those related to the criminal legal system.
In Los Angeles County (LAC), we implemented a cluster detection and response (CDR) social network strategy (SNS) among HIV molecular clusters with the goal of addressing service gaps and bringing individuals into HIV prevention and care, preventing further HIV transmission. SNSs have strong evidence of effectively reaching populations who may not otherwise test. The Community Health Ambassador Program (CHAP) used this strategy to distribute HIV self-test kits among the social, sexual, and behavioral networks of communities who may be at increased risk for HIV.
This study examines how to optimize a conditional cash transfer (CCT) intervention to increase PrEP use among Black and Latinx men who have sex with men (MSM) in Los Angeles County. Findings from a discrete choice experiment reveal preferences for larger cash payments provided more frequently, with some variation in PrEP modality. These results highlight the potential of tailored CCT designs to improve PrEP uptake and advance national efforts to reduce new HIV transmissions among key populations.
We examined the relationship between violence/coercion and PrEP acceptability among cisgender female sex workers and transgender sex workers in urban West Bengal, India. We found very high rates of violence and coercion among participants, particularly among transgender sex workers. We also found that the relationship between coercion/violence and PrEP willingness was conditional on gender.
We conducted a cross-sectional survey to examine various pathways of resilience among HIV-positive youth living within informal settlements outside of Nairobi, Kenya. Relationships between variables were modelled and evaluated using linear regression analysis and structural equational modelling. We identified unique pathways linking social support, adverse childhood experiences, and HIV stigma to general health and resilience. These results may provide valuable insights for developing targeted intervention strategies to improve treatment adherence and HIV management in this population.
This presentation compares traditional Differentiated Service Delivery (DSD) models with the RiseUP! Enhanced Differentiated Service Delivery (EDSD) model for HIV care and treatment among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Sub-Saharan Africa. We analyze retention rates and medication adherence across various countries, highlighting the effectiveness of the RiseUP! model’s holistic, youth-friendly approach. The study emphasizes the importance of tailored, community-based interventions in improving HIV care outcomes for vulnerable populations.
This study examines barriers to engagement in the HIV care continuum, focusing on patients at UCLA Health with detectable viral loads. By analyzing patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and care engagement, the study identifies factors like frequent visits and adherence to ART as key to achieving virologic suppression. Results suggest that increased healthcare interactions and timely follow-ups are crucial for improving engagement and retention in care, emphasizing the need for continued outreach and support for individuals living with HIV.
Despite the availability of resources such as Ryan White-funded clinics that offer free access to HIV healthcare, significant disparities in viral suppression rates exist. This study examines the association between neighborhood characteristics, socioeconomic factors, and viral suppression among people living with HIV in neighborhoods served by Ryan White-funded clinics in Southern California.
We found that internalized heterosexism is indirectly associated with self-reported ART adherence, via adherence self-efficacy. This mediating effect is strongest among participants who showed hazardous alcohol use. This underscores a contextualized understanding of these associations among a sample of young Black sexual minority men with HIV.
This HIV Grand Rounds session featured Dr. Ellen F. Eaton who highlighted addiction medicine as integral to comprehensive medical care. Attendees were able to understand stigma as a barrier to health equity and strategies to create an inclusive HIV treatment environment. Attendees were able to identify opportunities to integrate substance use and infection prevention and treatment in both acute and community settings.
Hosted by our Equitable Injectable PrEP in LA County Initiative, this workshop featured a panel presentation from staff at the Division of HIV and STD Programs on current and future plans to expand PrEP use in Los Angeles County.
This global health seminar featured Dr. Dvora Joseph Davey who focused on research to address equitable delivery of HIV and STI interventions, focusing on a case study of oral and injectable PrEP, and STI management, in pregnant and lactating people, in South Africa.
This HIV Grand Rounds session shared Dr. Solomon’s journey working with PWID in India. He will focus on the evolution of his research from a single cross-sectional study in one city to several multicity cluster randomized trials. He will also describe the lessons learned along the way and how it impacted his own career.
This community workshop hosted by our Equitable Injectable PrEP in LA County Initiative featured a panel of Black and Latino/a cisgender MSM and transgender women (BLMSM/TW) who shared their experiences with injectable PrEP in Los Angeles County.
This presentation described “LA CAB” goals which includes providing input on proposals and study materials as well as promoting CFAR activities and research studies. This presentation also describes “LA CAB” accomplishment in contributing input to RFAs and providing letters of support.
This presentation provides an overview of structure & ongoing studies, highlighting the potential for NISH multi-site research to support EHE goals & advance implementation science. This presentation explores generalizability vs. context, power in numbers, and developing and testing implementation strategies to advance effectiveness & equity.
This presentation by LeRoy Blea, MPH was part of the moving research to practice panel (2024 National EHE Meeting). This presentation described the California Department of Public Health’s efforts to document successes of interventions linked to priority populations, continue community engagement and collaboration linked directly to improving interventions, and share best practices across regions.
This presentation by Mario Perez, MPH was part of the moving research to practice panel (2024 National EHE Meeting). This presentation described the importance of transforming healthcare delivery systems, starting a 10-year national MH/SW/SUD specialist workforce training program, and changing the way we share data with frontline providers.