Contributions of Community-Based Organizations Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's HIV Testing Program.

CONTEXT: HIV testing is a critically important first step in preventing and reducing HIV transmission. Community-based organizations (CBOs) are uniquely positioned to provide HIV testing and other prevention services to populations disproportionately affected by HIV infection. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this analysis was to assess CDC-funded health department (HD) and CBO testing programs during 2012-2017, including the number of tests and HIV positivity. DESIGN: This is an analysis of National HIV Prevention Program Monitoring and Evaluation HIV testing data submitted between 2012 and 2017 to CDC. SETTING: Sixty-one CDC-funded state and local HDs in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands and between 122 and 175 CDC-funded CBOs, depending on the year. PARTICIPANTS: Persons who received HIV testing at CDC-funded CBOs and HDs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The number of HIV tests and positivity at CBOs were compared with HDs overall and to HDs in non-health care settings that, like CBOs, include HIV risk data and are in similar locations. RESULTS: CBOs accounted for 7625 (8%) new diagnoses but conducted only 3% of the almost 19 million CDC-funded HIV tests from 2012 to 2017. Newly diagnosed HIV positivity at CBOs (1.4%) was nearly 3 times the new positivity at HDs overall (0.5%) and twice that of new positivity at HDs in non-health care settings (0.7%). A higher proportion of tests at CBOs were conducted among groups at risk, and new HIV positivity was higher for most demographic and population groups than new HIV positivity at HDs in non-health care settings. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate the essential role CDC-funded CBOs have in reaching, testing, and diagnosing groups at high risk for acquiring HIV infection.

Trends in Diagnosis of HIV Infection, Linkage to Medical Care, and Viral Suppression Among Men Who Have Sex with Men, by Race/Ethnicity and Age - 33 Jurisdictions, United States, 2014-2018.

During 2018, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for 69.4% of all diagnoses of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the United States (1). Moreover, in all 42 jurisdictions with complete laboratory reporting of CD4 and viral load results,* percentages of MSM linked to care within 1 month (80.8%) and virally suppressed (viral load <200 copies of HIV RNA/mL or interpreted as undetected) within 6 months (68.3%) of diagnosis were below target during 2018 (2). African American/Black (Black), Hispanic/Latino (Hispanic), and younger MSM disproportionately experience HIV diagnosis, not being linked to care, and not being virally suppressed. To characterize trends in these outcomes, CDC analyzed National HIV Surveillance System† data from 2014 to 2018. The number of diagnoses of HIV infection among all MSM decreased 2.3% per year (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.9-2.8). However, diagnoses did not significantly change among either Hispanic MSM or any MSM aged 13-19 years; increased 2.2% (95% CI = 1.0-3.4) and 2.0% (95% CI = 0.6-3.3) per year among Black and Hispanic MSM aged 25-34 years, respectively; and were highest in absolute count among Black MSM. Annual percentages of linkage to care within 1 month and viral suppression within 6 months of diagnosis among all MSM increased (2.9% [95% CI = 2.4-3.5] and 6.8% [95% CI = 6.2-7.4] per year, respectively). These findings, albeit promising, warrant intensified prevention efforts for Black, Hispanic, and younger MSM.

Improving the HIV Prevention Landscape to Reduce Disparities for Black MSM in the South.

Black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the South have the highest rates of HIV diagnosis in the country adding to the persistent racial disparities in HIV experienced by this population. The current HIV prevention and care landscape is heavily driven by individual-level clinical and biomedical approaches that have shown progress in reducing HIV diagnoses, but yield less than adequate results in reducing the HIV racial disparities for Black MSM in the South. In efforts to enhance focus on reducing the racial HIV disparities and more completely address the needs of Black MSM in the South, we offer insight on comprehensive approaches that can complement our current HIV prevention and care portfolio. There are five domains we discuss which include: (1) leveraging and integrating resources; (2) building upon existing program models designed to reduce disparities; (3) workforce development and cultural sensitivity; (4) social determinants of health data utilization; and 5) policy considerations. We urge public health practitioners and healthcare providers to consider and incorporate the outlined approaches to improve HIV outcomes along the continuum of care and ultimately reduce disparities in HIV affecting the quality of life of Black MSM living in the South.

Provider barriers prevent recommended sexually transmitted disease screening of HIV-infected men who have sex with men.

BACKGROUND: HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk for transmitting and acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Guidelines recommend at least annual screening of HIV-infected MSM for syphilis and for chlamydia and gonorrhea at exposed anatomical sites, to protect their health and their sexual partners' health. Despite these guidelines, STD screening has been suboptimal, with very low nongenital chlamydia and gonorrhea testing rates. Our objective was to better understand barriers encountered by HIV care providers in adhering to STD screening guidelines for HIV-infected MSM. METHODS: We conducted 40 individual semistructured interviews with health care providers (physicians, midlevel providers, nurses, and health educators) of HIV-infected MSM at 8 large HIV clinics in 6 US cities. Providers were asked about their STD screening practices and barriers to conducting sexual risk assessments of their patients. Emerging themes were identified by qualitative data analysis. RESULTS: Although most health care providers reported routine syphilis screening, screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea at exposed anatomical sites was less frequent. Obstacles that prevented routine chlamydia and gonorrhea screening included time constraints, difficulty obtaining a sexual history, language and cultural barriers, and patient confidentiality concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Providers reported many obstacles to routine chlamydia and gonorrhea screening. Interventions are needed to help to mitigate barriers to STD screening, such as structural and patient-directed health services models that might facilitate increased testing coverage of these important preventive services.

Expanding PrEP Services for Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Persons Through Health Department Programs: Key Processes and Outcomes From Project PrIDE, 2015-2019.

OBJECTIVE: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) Implementation, Data to Care, and Evaluation (PrIDE) was a demonstration project implemented by 12 state and local health departments during 2015-2019 to expand PrEP services for men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender persons at risk for HIV infection. We describe findings from the cross-jurisdictional evaluation of the project. METHODS: We analyzed work plans, annual progress reports, and aggregate quantitative program data submitted by funded health departments (n = 12) to identify key activities implemented and summarize key project outcomes. RESULTS: PrIDE jurisdictions implemented multiple health equity-focused activities to expand PrEP services to priority populations, including building program capacity, conducting knowledge and awareness campaigns, providing PrEP support services, and addressing barriers to PrEP use. Overall, PrIDE jurisdictions identified 44 813 persons with PrEP indications. Of these, 74.8% (n = 33 500) were referred and 33.1% (n = 14 821) were linked to PrEP providers, and 25.3% (n = 11 356) were prescribed PrEP. Most persons prescribed PrEP were MSM or transgender persons (87.9%) and persons from racial and ethnic minority groups (65.6%). However, among persons with PrEP indications, non-Hispanic Black/African American persons (14.9% of 18 782) were less likely than non-Hispanic White persons (31.0% of 11 633) to be prescribed PrEP (z = -33.57; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: PrIDE jurisdictions successfully expanded PrEP services for MSM, transgender persons, and racial and ethnic minority groups by implementing health equity-focused activities that addressed barriers to PrEP services. However, PrEP prescription was generally low, with significant disparities by demographic characteristics. Additional targeted interventions are needed to expand PrEP services, achieve equity in PrEP use, and contribute to ending the HIV epidemic in the United States.

Expanding Data to Care Programs to Improve HIV Care Continuum Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Persons: Key Processes and Outcomes From Project PrIDE, 2015-2019.

OBJECTIVES: During 2015-2019, five local and state health department jurisdictions implemented Data to Care (D2C) programs supported by Project PrIDE (Pre-exposure prophylaxis, Implementation, Data to Care, and Evaluation) to improve linkage or reengagement in HIV medical care among persons with HIV (PWH) who had gaps in care, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender persons. We describe findings from the cross-jurisdiction evaluation of the project. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative analysis of the final progress reports submitted by PrIDE jurisdictions to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify key D2C activities implemented and challenges encountered. We also conducted descriptive analysis on aggregate quantitative data to summarize key D2C program outcomes. RESULTS: PrIDE jurisdictions implemented multiple activities to build their D2C capacity, identify PWH who were not in care or virally suppressed, provide linkage/reengagement services, and monitor outcomes. Overall, 11 463 PWH were selected for follow-up, 45% of whom were MSM or transgender persons. Investigations were completed for 8935 (77.9%) PWH. Only 2323 (26.0%) PWH were confirmed not in care or virally suppressed; 1194 (51.4%) were subsequently linked/reengaged in care; among those, 679 (56.9%) were virally suppressed at last test. PrIDE jurisdictions identified data-related (eg, incomplete or delayed laboratory results), program capacity (eg, insufficient staff), and social and structural (eg, unstable housing) challenges that affected their D2C implementation. CONCLUSIONS: PrIDE jurisdictions successfully enhanced their D2C capacity, reached priority populations who were not in care or virally suppressed, and improved their engagement in care and health outcomes. Data-related and non-data-related challenges limited the efficiency of D2C programs. Findings can help inform other D2C programs and contribute to national HIV prevention goals.

Can pictorial warning labels on cigarette packages address smoking-related health disparities? Field experiments in Mexico to assess pictorial warning label content.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the most effective content of pictorial health warning labels (HWLs) and whether educational attainment moderates these effects. METHODS: Field experiments were conducted with 529 adult smokers and 530 young adults (258 nonsmokers; 271 smokers). Participants reported responses to different pictorial HWLs printed on cigarette packages. One experiment involved manipulating textual form (testimonial narrative vs. didactic) and the other involved manipulating image type (diseased organs vs. human suffering). RESULTS: Tests of mean ratings and rankings indicated that pictorial HWLs with didactic textual forms had equivalent or significantly higher credibility, relevance, and impact than pictorial HWLs with testimonial forms. Results from mixed-effects models confirmed these results. However, responses differed by participant educational attainment: didactic forms were consistently rated higher than testimonials among participants with higher education, whereas the difference between didactic and testimonial narrative forms was weaker or not statistically significant among participants with lower education. In the second experiment, with textual content held constant, greater credibility, relevance, and impact was found for graphic imagery of diseased organs than imagery of human suffering. CONCLUSIONS: Pictorial HWLs with didactic textual forms seem to work better than those with testimonial narratives. Future research should determine which pictorial HWL content has the greatest real-world impact among consumers from disadvantaged groups, including assessment of how HWL content should change to maintain its impact as tobacco control environments strengthen and consumer awareness of smoking-related risks increases.

The association of sexual orientation measures with young adults' health-related outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: We examined associations among 3 dimensions of sexual orientation (identity, behavior, and attraction) and key health-related indicators commonly studied among sexual minority populations: depressive symptoms, perceived stress, smoking, binge drinking, and victimization. METHODS: We analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, Wave IV (2007-2008) when respondents were aged 24 to 32 years (n=14,412). We used multivariate linear and logistic regressions to examine consistency of associations between sexual orientation measures and health-related indicators. RESULTS: Strength of associations differed by gender and sexual orientation measure. Among women, being attracted to both sexes, identifying as "mostly straight" or "bisexual," and having mostly opposite-sex sexual partners was associated with greater risk for all indicators. Among men, sexual attraction was unrelated to health indicators. Men who were "mostly straight" were at greater risk for some, but not all, indicators. Men who had sexual partners of the same-sex or both sexes were at lower risk for binge drinking. CONCLUSIONS: Using all 3 dimensions of sexual orientation provides a more complete picture of the association between sexual orientation and health among young adults than does using any 1 dimension alone.

Evaluating for health equity among a cluster of health departments implementing PrEP services.

African American/Black and Hispanic/Latino sexual and gender minority populations are disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States and continue to experience HIV-related disparities. CDC funded project PrIDE to support 12 health departments (HD) with implementing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) strategies for men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender persons, with a health-equity focus established by HDs. Each HD conducted mixed-methods evaluation of at least one local strategy. CDC employed a cluster evaluation approach to maximize cross validation. As a result, this cluster evaluation focused on three HDs that evaluated health equity-focused PrEP implementation strategies. Findings suggest that integrating health equity strategies such as storytelling and healthcare worker (HCW) trainings can help reduce HIV-related disparities. Storytelling improved HCW's understanding of clients' experiences of stigma due to racial, gender, and sexual identities. Provider training increased competencies on culturally appropriate care and the use of clinic services by Black and Hispanic MSM and transgender persons. Good practices included community engagement, seeking leadership buy-in, and integration of programmatic staff in health equity and evaluation activities. Evaluating strategies and training policies addressing social determinants of health that adversely affect HIV outcomes may help mitigate barriers Black and Hispanic MSM and transgender populations encounter in their HIV prevention seeking efforts.

Utilization of HIV Prevention, Care, and Treatment Services Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Persons of Color in the U.S. South: A Qualitative Analysis.

To better understand utilization of HIV prevention, care, and treatment services by young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and young transgender persons (YTG), of Black race or Hispanic/Latino/Latina ethnicity in the U.S. South, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 127 clients at one of four community based organizations (CBOs) in Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans/Baton Rouge, or Columbia, South Carolina. Across sites, the service that most commonly drew respondents into the CBO was HIV and STD testing. Other services commonly used included HIV/STI treatment, counseling services/support groups, and PrEP services. Social/organizational/structural facilitators of service utilization include the welcoming climate/culture of the CBOs, ease of access to the services, and transportation services to reach the CBOs. Suggested service enhancements include broader range of comprehensive, navigational-type services beyond HIV testing and service co-location. Research on how to reduce stigma in the surrounding communities may help reduce health disparities experienced by these populations.

Invisible and at risk: STDs among young adult sexual minority women in the United States.

CONTEXT: Sexual minority women are not adequately assessed by national STD surveillance systems, and research regarding STD burden in nationally representative samples of such women is rare. Moreover, few studies have assessed STD risk exclusively among young adult women. METHODS: Wave 4 (2007-2008) data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health on 7,296 females aged 24-32 were used to examine the relationship between sexual orientation and receipt of an STD diagnosis in the past year. Multivariate logistic regression analyses used two measures of sexual orientation: sexual identity and gender of sex partners. RESULTS: Eighty percent of women considered themselves straight; 16% mostly straight; and 4% bisexual, mostly gay or gay. Eighty-five percent had had only male partners, while 7% had had one female partner, and 8% two or more female partners. In unadjusted models, women who identified themselves as mostly straight were more likely than straight women to have had an STD (odds ratio, 1.4); mostly gay or gay women were at lower risk (0.4). Women who had had two or more female partners had a higher STD risk than did women who had had only male partners (1.7). Adjusting for social and demographic characteristics did not substantially alter these results; however, the associations between sexual identity, gender of sex partners and STD diagnosis were eliminated after adjustment for sexual behaviors (e.g., having had anal sex). CONCLUSIONS: Sexual identity, gender of sex partners and sexual behaviors should be taken into account in assessments of women's STD risk.