US HHS announces $20 million in funding to end HIV epidemic

US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra has announced more than $20 million in funding to expand HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services at health centers nationwide.

The funding is being awarded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to expand HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services at 64 health centers. It is part of HHS’ Ending the HIV Epidemic in the US (EHE) initiative, which aims to reduce the number of new HIV infections in the USA by 90% by 2030.

Health centers who receive this funding will leverage it to expand access to medication to prevent HIV (including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP and related services), connect people to care, and ensure care services are well coordinated. They will also leverage it to strengthen partnerships with community organizations such as HRSA’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program-funded organizations and health departments. Stronger partnerships will speed up patients’ connections to prevention services, including testing and PrEP.