CDC Invests $400 Million to Accelerate HIV Prevention and Surveillance Efforts Nationwide

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded $400 million in funding to boost HIV prevention and surveillance efforts across the United States, aiming to accelerate progress in reducing new infections and improving health outcomes for those affected by HIV.

The funding was allocated to 59 health departments under its new opportunity, PS-24-0047: High-Impact HIV Prevention and Surveillance Programs for Health Departments. This initiative comes after 4 years of declining HIV incidence rates and seeks to build on this positive trend.

The new program combines 2 of CDC's largest HIV prevention efforts: the national HIV prevention and surveillance funding for health departments and the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the US initiative (EHE). By streamlining these programs, the CDC aims to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in key areas of HIV prevention and treatment.

Key strategies of the funding include expanding self-testing programs, ensuring routine HIV testing and screening, utilizing telehealth services, and improving rapid detection and response to HIV clusters and outbreaks. The program also emphasizes the use of real-time pharmacy data to support treatment adherence and re-engagement in care.

In addition to the main funding, the CDC has announced a competitive supplemental funding opportunity of approximately $7 million. This supplemental program targets the 31 health departments currently receiving EHE funding and aims to accelerate progress toward the National HIV/AIDS Strategy goal of achieving 50% pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) coverage by the end of 2025.

The CDC's approach focuses on tailoring prevention and treatment strategies to local needs, addressing structural barriers to care, and promoting health equity. By combining innovative approaches with proven strategies, the agency hopes to make significant strides in reducing HIV transmission and improving the quality of life for those living with HIV.

“By building upon recent successes, embracing EHE strategies, and continuing to center health equity in all that we do, CDC's HIV prevention and surveillance program for health departments will play an integral role in our ongoing efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the United States,” explained Dr Robyn Neblett Fanfair, Director of the CDC's Division of HIV Prevention, and Dr Jonathan Mermin, Director of the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention.

Reference

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC Awards HIV Prevention and Surveillance Funding to Health Departments. Published August 1, 2024. Accessed August 22, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/director-letters/hiv-prevention-surveillance-funding-award.html