FY 2021 ending the HIV epidemic - primary care HIV prevention - description of how the project will increase the number of patients counseled and tested for HIV; the number of patients prescribed…

FY 2021 ending the HIV epidemic - primary care HIV prevention - description of how the project will increase the number of patients counseled and tested for HIV; the number of patients prescribed prep, and the number of patients linked to HIV care and treatment within 30 days of diagnosis: nhan HOA comprehensive health care clinic (nhan HOA) is a nonprofit community-based federally qualified health center (FQHC) in orange county, california. Since 1991, nhan HOA-which means 'harmony among people' in vietnamese-has been committed to providing underserved patients with quality, culturally-competent healthcare services. Currently, our service area comprises 421,124 residents, with more than 37.7% living under 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG). To address the needs of our community, nhan HOA will provide accessible prep prescribing, outreach, testing, and workforce development activities through its community clinic, and also in partnership with radian health centers, an HIV service provider in orange county. Our target population includes at-risk individuals who have yet to be tested/screened for HIV; individuals who are HIV negative/participate in at-risk behaviors; and individuals who are HIV positive. Many individuals are also low-income minorities with limited/no english proficiency. Nhan HOA's proposed project is positioned to (1) increase the number of patients counseled/testing for HIV; (2) increase the number of patients prescribed prep; and (3) increase the number of patients linked to HIV care and treatment. Through new care coordination, training, education, partnerships, social media awareness efforts-combined with enhanced workflows and electronic health record (EHR) system updates-nhan HOA will facilitate improved HIV prevention and other supportive services in orange county. Description of how the proposed project will focus on the targeted geographic locations: the proposed project will serve our current patient base and other at-risk populations in orange county-a prioritized locat ION for phase I of the 'ending the HIV epidemic in the U.S.' initiative. According to the 2020 HIV/continuum of HIV care fact sheets from the OC health care agency, there were a total of 6,548 orange county residents who are HIV-positive and aware of their HIV status and 918 residents unaware of their HIV status. Of this population, 24.3% identify as black, 12.7% as hispanic, 6.2% as white, and 3.6% as asian-with asians having the lowest percentage of HIV care linkage (72.1%). Overall, only 67.8% of orange county's HIV-positive population have ever been retained in HIV care. Nhan HOA will address the gaps in care specific to our community with comprehensive program strategies, including new clinical protocols, bilingual staff, and multimedia outreach efforts.