A combination of social, economic, and behavioral factors has led to the rise of the HIV Epidemic in the US. For example, in the early years of the epidemic, a lack of knowledge and prevention methods served as a foundation for its rapid transmission. Later on, variables such as stigma and discrimination, globalization, and healthcare disparities have further fueled the spread of HIV.
So the question arises, what is being done?
“Ending the HIV Epidemic in the US”, also called EHE, was a bold plan set forward by the Trump administration in 2019, which aimed to reduce HIV infections by 90% in just 10 years, and reduce the transmission of HIV in the long run. The plan pushed for the coordination of federal and state governments, community organizations, healthcare providers, and individuals at a local scale, all working towards the same four strategies: diagnose, treat, prevent, and respond. In other words, “Ending the HIV Epidemic in the US” seeks to diagnose those with HIV as early as possible, treat HIV rapidly to prevent transmission, prevent new transmissions using methods such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, and respond to HIV transmissions using adaptable systems.
Let’s go over each strategy:
Diagnose. As with all medical conditions, the first step to being treated is diagnosis. In 2021, however, more than 153,000 people were living with HIV, unaware of their conditions. In response, EHE is making HIV testing more accessible by increasing the capacity of local health centers in providing diagnoses and creating community-based organizations aimed at increasing the availability of self-testing.
Treat. After diagnosis, the next step is treatment. Currently, a key strategy is HIV medicine known as antiretroviral therapy, called ART for short. ART is capable of viral suppression, which reduces the copies of HIV per millimeter of blood. Since 2021, the percentage of people getting treated after diagnosis has gone up 2.8%, a small, yet profound step towards reducing transmission. EHE has taken this step by creating rapid-start treatment programs that link newly diagnosed patients to HIV care, reducing the stigma associated with HIV treatment, and supporting those already in treatment but not seeing progress.
Prevent. Perhaps the most emphasized strategy, “Prevent” seeks to do just that: using proven interventions to prevent the spread of HIV. Namely, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and syringe services programs (SSPs). As aforementioned, EHE has pushed the involvement of local governments and individuals, and this increased communication is perhaps most clear through this strategy. Local communities have worked together to increase the accessibility to PrEP and SSPs with the help of member input and engaging pharmacies in such services. Due to the variable impact of HIV on different communities, there has been stress placed on African American and Latino populations, which have long been disproportionately affected by HIV.
Finally, respond. Systems that quickly catch the rapid transmission of HIV have been put in place, which can immediately alert local government officials and health centers. Once a transmission has been caught, strategies are implemented to address gaps in prevention knowledge and treatment methods, while also giving the affected individuals access to immediate care. This strategy serves as a check to the other three, making sure that diagnosis, treatment, and prevention are being adapted according to new transmissions.
Overall, EHE has set forward a bold plan, but not without clear strategies in place. The strategies have proved effective since the plan’s initiation, but whether or not the goal to reduce infections by 90% will be reached is yet to be determined. Stay up to date with EHE through HIV.gov!
Written By: Kaitlyn
HIV.GOV. “What Is “Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America”?” HIV.gov, 3 May 2019, www.hiv.gov/federal-response/ending-the-hiv-epidemic/overview.
HIV.gov. “Key Strategies in the Plan.” HIV.gov, 8 May 2020, www.hiv.gov/federal-response/ending-the-hiv-epidemic/key-strategies.
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