Ashwell HIV prevention navigation (AHP-NAV) program - the ashwell HIV prevention navigation (AHP-NAV) program will expand access to substance misuse and HIV prevention services to underserved…

Ashwell HIV prevention navigation (AHP-NAV) program - the ashwell HIV prevention navigation (AHP-NAV) program will expand access to substance misuse and HIV prevention services to underserved populations in austin, texas. During the five-year program, 190 individuals at high risk of contracting HIV will be provided HIV and viral hepatitis prevention education and linkage to medical care and/or supportive services. This program will serve racial/ethnic minority males, in particular men who have SEX with men (MSM), including transgender individuals, as well as those who identify as lgbtq+. Austin is the seat of travis county, texas, listed by samhsa as one of the 48 counties hardest HIT by the HIV epidemic. While latinx people make up 34% of the county population and black people 9%, these communities represented 53% and 18%, respectively, of new HIV diagnoses in 2019 (aidsvu, 2019). Moreover, HIV disproportionately affects black and latinx MSM and transgender individuals. Black MSM are slower to be linked to care, with only 61% linked to care within one month compared with 69% of all plwh (texas HHS, 2019). Young latinx MSM are also less likely to be retained in care than other demographic groups (texas HHS, 2019). Local data on the needs of transgender individuals living with HIV include needing, but not receiving, transportation services and outpatient/ambulatory care, as well as high need for case management, food bank, health insurance assistance, HIV support groups, housing assistance, mental health counseling, medical nutrition therapy, and oral health care (austin public health, 2018). Ashwell's HIV prevention navigation program will utilize the evidence-based practice of patient navigation, "a client-centered approach aimed at improving care engagement by addressing client and system barriers, and helping clients access medical and support services in an often complex healthcare system" (samhsa, 2020). Ashwell will maintain partnerships with a mix of agencies that deliver clinical, social, and medical services in order to meet clients' varied needs. The new ashwell HIV prevention navigation program will fill and clear and unmet need.