World AIDS Day provides an annual call to action to work collectively to end the HIV epidemic in the United States and worldwide. This year marks the 35th anniversary of World AIDS Day, a milestone that gives us the opportunity to honor those we have lost to AIDS-related illnesses. to honor more than 40 million people around the world, and more than 1.2 million Americans living with HIV; and raise awareness of the importance of HIV testing, prevention, care and treatment. This year’s theme for World AIDS Day, Remember and commitit also gives us an opportunity to emphasize the urgency of our collective commitment end the HIV epidemic. We have made significant progress in our effort to end the HIV epidemic in the United States, but challenges remain. In many communities, access to comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment is affected by limited awareness, access and HIV-related stigma, which continue to hinder efforts to implement and accelerate the dissemination of effective HIV prevention and treatment tools HIV.
SAMHSA’s mission is to lead public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance abuse, and provide treatments and supports to promote recovery while ensuring equitable access and better outcomes. SAMHSA grantees work to address the HIV syndrome, viral hepatitis, substance use and mental illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone ages 13-64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care and know their status. For people with certain risk factors, including many people with or at risk for behavioral disorders, the CDC recommends that they be screened at least once a year. In addition, per recently updated medical guidelines (PDF | 370 KB)all sexually active adults and adolescents should be informed about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as an option to protect against HIV.
In 2023, SAMHSA awarded more than $34 million in grants to meet the behavioral health needs of people who are either at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS. These grant programs include:
- $21.9 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative: Substance use disorder treatment for racial/ethnic minority populations at high risk for HIV/AIDS. This program increases engagement in care for racially and ethnically medically underserved individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) and/or co-occurring SUDs and mental health conditions (COD) who are at risk for or living with HIV. For example, a beneficiary serves their community with SUD treatment, HIV and hepatitis C testing, and screening for any mental illness that may warrant a referral for additional services. The grantee also provides recovery support services by creating a safe, family- and employment-centered environment to help grantees maintain and sustain long-term recovery. According to the grant recipient, “without SAMHSA funding it would be a huge challenge for this community to receive these services.”
- $10.5 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative: Substance Use and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention Pilot Program for Racial/Ethnic Minorities. This program provides substance use and HIV prevention services to individuals at high risk for SUDS and HIV, including racial and ethnic minority populations. The program emphasizes support for people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Claimant and Transgender who are not in stable housing and/or reside in communities with high rates of HIV, viral hepatitis (including hepatitis A, B, and C) and/or sexually transmitted infections. For example, one grantee observed reluctance among Black men who have sex with men (MSM) to initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). The beneficiary completed an environmental assessment that indicated the hesitancy stemmed from a lack of knowledge about PrEP/PEP, including where and how to access it. To address this barrier, the grantee conducted a radio and television media campaign with Black MSM representatives to educate the public about PrEP and PEP.
- $1.9 million for the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund: Integrated Behavioral Health and HIV Care Pilot Program for Underserved Populations. This pilot program aims to provide comprehensive health care for the medically underserved, including racial and ethnic populations experiencing homelessness, focusing on supporting the integration of behavioral health services and HIV treatment and prevention through the provision of mobile clinical care delivered on the street or in other areas suitable for unprotected populations. In addition, through this pilot program, which consists of two grantees based in California and one grantee based in Arizona, SAMHSA expects to gain some valuable knowledge, including best practices for dealing with substance use disorders, the HIV/hepatitis and mental health for vulnerable populations to be shared with the public.
SAMHSA continues to prioritize reducing the transmission of HIV/AIDS among people with mental illness and/or SUD and connecting Americans who have HIV and co-occurring mental illness and/or substance use disorder to appropriate care and treatment. In 2020, SAMHSA published HIV prevention and treatment in people living with substance use and/or mental disorders, which examines effective programs and practices to prevent HIV and increase adherence and retention in care. SAMHSA MAI-sponsored programming is aligned with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) (PDF | 1.8 MB)reflect SAMHSA’s commitments outlined in our contribution to NHAS Federal Implementation Plan (PDF | 707 KB)and is in alignment with his goals Ending the HIV epidemic in the US (EHE)., of which SAMHSA is a proud contributing company. SAMHSA works with beneficiaries, federal agencies, health care providers and others to realize these goals.
SAMHSA is also committed to focusing equity in our HIV response by ensuring improved access to appropriate HIV testing and linkage to appropriate HIV treatment and prevention services, including non-traditional community-based settings. Many of those who have HIV do not know that they are infected. HIV self-testing plays a critical role in reaching people who either do not have access to or prefer not to be tested in traditional clinical settings. To access HIV self-testing, go to the CDC Together Take me home. Finally, if you or someone you know is seeking help for substance use or mental illness, SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator can help connect you with treatment programs in your area.
On World AIDS Day 2023, SAMHSA would like to thank our staff, grantees, federal partners, health care providers, and the substance use and mental health community who are working toward our shared goal of ending the HIV epidemic in the United States . Thank you for the work you do to save lives and improve the health of the American people.
