Delaware high impact HIV prevention and surveillance - the delaware division of public health (DPH) HIV surveillance and prevention programs are requesting funds in the amount $1,193,577 for the first…

Delaware high impact HIV prevention and surveillance - the delaware division of public health (DPH) HIV surveillance and prevention programs are requesting funds in the amount $1,193,577 for the first 10 months. That equates to $987,935 for HIV prevention activities and $205,642 for surveillance activities. The HIV disease continues to have an impact on the health and well-being of delawareans. As of december 2023, 6,609 individuals infected with HIV have been reported to the delaware division of public health (DPH); currently 3,985 reside in our state. Although delaware is the second smallest state and has a population under one million, we consistently rank in the top 15 among the 50 states and the district of columbia in newly reported stage 3 HIV (aids) cases annually (per 100,000 population). To combat this, DPH relies on an experienced HIV surveillance and prevention staff consisting of nine personnel working in two separate, but integrated programs (case surveillance and HIV prevention). The case surveillance team focuses its efforts on monitoring HIV infection, investigating HIV cases, monitoring perinatal exposures and identifying HIV clusters. Additionally, surveillance personnel produce geocoded data and maps to visually depict the HIV epidemic in delaware and to highlight social determinants that effect the likelihood of being exposed to HIV. Surveillance primarily uses the enhanced HIV/aids reporting system (ehars) to record and report critical demographic, risk and medical treatment information. Ehars analysis datasets are used to provide a valuable data driven picture to HIV prevention, the ryan white program, and community planning groups for resource allocation and program planning. To strengthen delaware's capacity to monitor the epidemic in the coming years, surveillance staff has developed a process for integration of molecular HIV data utilizing nucleotide sequence matching to identify genetic clusters. Disease intervention personnel are now able to help stem the expansion of the cluster by contacting clients identified by the process and conducting partner services activities. The HIV prevention team, through its various collaborations with a host of organizations, will offer a variety of services to those infected and uninfected with HIV. With over 100 rapid HIV testing locations to choose from, all delawareans have access to a free, confidential HIV test within 15 minutes of their homes. Under contract, our cbos offer personalized cognitive counseling (sexual wellness), couples counseling/testing, prep referral, HIV/STD education, and syringe exchange. Through a collaboration with the aids education and training center, delaware's providers are being educated on HIV OPT-out testing laws and the benefits of prep. HIV prevention will also provide HIV rapid testing at several high-prevalence areas of western sussex county, targeting specific ZIP codes. This new initiative concentrates on counseling, testing and referral services for those that have never been tested for HIV or are at high risk and have not been tested within 12 months. Reports of widespread injecting drug use have plagued western sussex county in recent months. Surveillance data shows that clients testing positive for HIV in this part of our state are already aids-defined at intake. Finally, joint collaboration between the HIV prevention and HIV surveillance programs is increasing client treatment rates through the production of lost to care data followed by client contact and care RE-engagement activities.